GREAT THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR

Today is February 19, my father passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
These are things I am grateful for as I write today:

1. that my father died peacefully surrounded by his family and loved ones
2. that my mother was there to wipe his face
3. that everyone at the hospital was SO nice
4. that Jon was with us
5. that I had Olive
6. my mami for being SO couragous
7. my sister for telling me that daddy said I was fantastic
8. Ellen for sending the most BEAUTIFUL flowers and her generous offers
9. the Handy's for making dinner for my mom
10. the Griesingers for bringing coffee and cream
11. Teresa
12. Jess
13. Tom and Michele
14. everyone at Strickman-Ripps
15. Adam, for calling my mom
16. Romana
17. Kim
18. Joe at the Funeral Home
19. wearing Mami's wedding ring
20. my Mami - who I love SO SO SO SO much
21. Jon, for being there for my Dad, my mom, my family and me
22. Jon, for driving in the bad weather and getting me and Olive safely back to NY
23. Bill for being there for Marcella and my mom
24. Our wonderful family in Zlin and Vienna -Yvonna, Hanka, Franta and Suzi
25. Mami's friends
26. I am so grateful for having had such a wonderful father, he was a great man, he will always be in my heart.
27. the wooden cardinal that sat on his desk, my dad liked birds, especially cardinals, like the ones that nested outside our kitchen window