Monday, February 7, 2011

Ronny's Back

My Dad, Ronald Joseph Hormachea, is quite the character.  He is a decorated war hero: He went to Vietnam twice, receiving a bronze star, silver star, and purple heart.  He is a gambler: He has won and lost a million dollars gambling and peddling cars in Las Vegas for 10 years.  When I was 10, he even won me a horse in a card game, that then got sold within a few months.  He is a stroke survivor, and lives with a 30% Ejection Fraction.  He walks at least a mile a day.  He still lives on his own.  He is a Republican.

My Dad and I are a lot alike.  We are so very different.  We will never vote for the same candidate in any election, but we both believe in family and the sanctity in those bonds.

My Dad suffered a lot in my youth from health problems and post traumatic stress disorder from his experiences in Vietnam.  He had his first heart attack at age 30, and suffered a stroke at age 56.  He has struggled with depression and bipolar disorder.  Like all parents, he struggled with the responsibilities of being a father.  He was bewildered and pissed off at his divorce, has often felt scorned by his kids, and the relationship he and I share has more downs than ups.  After his stroke 7 years ago, he moved to San Francisco and he worked diligently to rehab himself, but the liberal climate of San Francisco never felt right to Dad.  He struggled with having an alternative thinking daughter and living amongst so many "democrats."  He and I worked hard on developing healthy boundaries and though there were many struggles, I think we were able to rehab our relationship, as well as his body and mind.

Dad recently returned to San Francisco, after leaving for Texas for a few months.  He also recently was awarded a fair amount of money for Agent Orange poisoning from his time in Vietnam.  The accolades from the government about the job he did for his country so many years ago has been great for Dad's spirit.  He is excited about life and proud of his achievements.  He is open to developing new relationships with his son and grandson.  He met his grandson for the first time in four years on Saturday, and met with his son for the first time in four years.

My Dad is a Vet, first and foremost.  My Dad fought hard in the name of the United States.  My Dad was ridiculed for being a soldier upon his return, and he never quite understood the other sides of that awful and unfair conflict.  My Dad has lived in a poisoned  body since his return from Vietnam, and it is a miracle he is even alive today.

As crazy and manic as Dad can be sometimes, I am lucky to have in my life.  I have four close friends who have lost their parents, and I realize that their void is worse than my craziness in all ways.  I will cherish the gift of spending time with my Dad and show him the respect that all Veterans deserve.  And maybe he will loan me the late-life crisis Beemer he just bought.  Love you, Dad!



June-uary in San Francisco




The weather has been warm and lovely in San Francisco this month.
Here are some random shots of San Francisco awesomeness!


Dante and his backyard







Gabby's Birthday

On January  22, our lovely Gabby turned thirty-something.  : )  We had an all day festivity, including a surprise brunch in the am, and a "Bring Your Own Burrito" Party in the evening.  Fortunately, the weather cooperated and it was 65 degrees and sunny in the day, and clear, sweatshirt weather in the evening.  This allowed us the chance to kick it in the backyard, throw some bones, and play happy tunes from the garage sound system.  Gabby went to an early morning massage, and a bunch of us girls threw together a "Surprise" brunch, including waffles, some of Abigail's delicioso quiche, lovely fruit plates and lox and bagels!  It was most impressive that the party lasted 11 hours, with probably about a total of 50 guests visiting Gabby throughout the day and evening!  In Gabby's case the adage is true:  You get what you give.  She gives so much love and support to her friends, that it is certainly lovely to see so many come together to celebrate her!
















Chopsticks

I went to bed last night fighting off a cold and woke up today with no voice.  After a fantastic weekend of family and friends, I needed a day to regain my strength and get my health back.  There is always a lot of guilt for me in calling in sick because I feel like I am letting down my team.  But my body needs healing, and I am no good to anyone if I cannot even speak.  The only good thing that comes from being sick is a chance to catch up on the blog.

Last night, Gabby invited a lovely man over to play dominoes with us.  His name is Jonathan and he had a calming, sweet energy.  Jonathan shared a sweet tale of cooperation.  A man asks to see the difference between heaven and hell.  He is first taken deep into the forest to a bountiful table of food.  The people all sitting at the table only can use 5 foot chopsticks to feed themselves.  Of course, this is impossible for them to feed themselves and the man watches them waste food and create a horrible mess, and no one is able to eat.  This is hell.

He is then sent to a different part of the forest, where a the same lovely table of food and bounty sits.  At this table, the patrons also can only use the 5 foot chopsticks.  These people use the chopsticks not to feed themselves, but to feed each other.  The teamwork is peaceful, the table is in order, and no food is wasted.  This is heaven.

Cooperation and teamwork is such a tricky thing.  I have never been great with boundaries and often struggle with either not asking for help, or trying to help people so much it is overbearing or I get taken advantage of.  It is my goal for 2011 to bring the chopsticks to the table and feed others, but making sure I get fed as well.

Followers

About Me

My photo
I am Nurse Bacon, a registered nurse who works hard and and lives a full life with her husband, Nascar Pitcrew. A little surly and a little sensitive, I am very much enamored with life and its nuances.