Holy Tide

Your love sustains me
unravels me
when I bunch

Your gentleness
eases the grating
in my voice

Your honesty
reflects my errors
humbles me

Your compassion
soothes me
when I feel pain

Your fingertips
brush my neck
spiritually

You dive into depths
with me
don't ask
where are we going?
you just trust
my emotional path

You don't want rewards
don't keep track
don't expect alot

You listen
You believe
You encourage
You change me

You don't ask why

You aren't one of those people
who loves love songs
more than loving someone

You hold my life warmly
genuinely
You are my
Holy Tide....

2010 Rozanna Landavazo

Good Night

Blue black evening sky
Red sun glow underlines clouds
Nature's love affair

2010 Rozanna Landavazo

Day 6

Uh-Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee look #1

 

This is the look he gives grandma when she's so frustrated with his goings on that she can no longer speak, stares straight ahead and seriously contemplates taking drugs.  He makes the sound of Uh-Heeeeeeeeeeee and grandma's trance is broken and she comes back to life and laughs, belly laughs.  He knows how to diffuse and divert.

 

 Uh-Heeeeeeeee look #2

Spilled seeds:

Seeds Galore

So, before Alonzo leaves the care of his grandma, (no intention of leaving grandpa out but he is gone fishing and camping with a friend) he finds my rainstick, one of those sticks full of seeds.  How anyone can pop the little round disk out that plugs the hole must meet Alonzo.  I heard the sound of what seemed like a million seeds hit the floor and a little tiny voice:

"Sorry grandma"
"did we have an accident?"

Alonzo and his mother swept and picked up the seeds, put them in a measuring cup, and put them back into the rainstick.  My daughter complained about the lint coming off the floor with the seeds.  sigh.

Babysitting Alonzo

Cottonwood

One of my favorite trees is the Cottonwood. Love its leafy, fluttery ways. I like the ways the leaves change color depending on how the sunlight hits them and the sound the leaves make when the wind is blowing.

Iridescencey

Cottonwood leaf melody

Tourmaline ballad

2010 Rozanna Landavazo

Some Things About Dad...

Flavio Landavazo August 8, 1924 - June 3, 2009

My dad died one year ago on June 3, 2009. Even though today is June 2, I feel my emotions, mind and spirit building up to this day 1 year ago. I remember very well this evening, sitting up all night next to his bed and holding his hand, listening to his breathing. My husband, a nurse attended to medications for pain and I will forever be grateful to him as he tirelessly made sure my father did not feel discomfort or pain, made sure my father was clean by tenderly washing him when needed and reassuring me constantly that my precious Papi was ok. I wrote the following and shared it at dad's Memorial Service:

Dad was about love. His 60 years plus of loving his wife Mary Jane, his daughters, Rozanna, Sharon and Jennifer, grandaughters Gianna and Felicia and her husband Doug, his son-in-laws Herb and Ernie, and his great-grandson Alonzo. And that is only the beginning of the list. He loved his brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins and their children. He loved his father-in-law John DiPaolo, rest in peace. Some of you that he loved dearly are here today and you know who you are.

Snuggling in Rozanna & Ernie's home

Lincoln City Oregon, one of their favorite coastal towns

Dad loved mom's cooking and was totally spoiled by his favorite meals prepared by her. She took care of him, ironed and selected his clothes to wear each day. He was her King and she was his Queen.

Dad singing a love song to mom

Dad loved golfing, bowling, music, walking, talking and was famous for his stories about his life and experiences. He loved tinkering on his cars and was a mechanic. Dad loved looking for parts for his somewhat vintage cars and did not buy a new car until 2003. Dad loved to play and tease folks and had quite a sense of humor. Dad loved dancing with his wife Mary Jane. They were like Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers. Anyone who had the good fortune to witness those two dance would never forget it. Dad loved going to Reno with mama. They tell the story of how one of them would wake up late at night and decide they needed to go to Reno and away they would go.

Cloverleaf Family Bowling Team Dad had a very special love for his brother Paul, who is now the only surviving son out of 9 children. They have lived in the same community of Fremont for several decades now. Dad lived a life of loving and he passed away surrounded by love. It was an honor for all of his "4 women" and his "2 good son-in-laws" as he called us all to take care of and love him at this time.

Dad and Uncle Paul 2007

A picture dad took over the So. Pacific WWII

United States Air Force Dad in his Bomber suit, 18 years old

Dad served in WWII in the 5th Air Force, Jolly Rogers, 90th Bomb group, 400th Squadron referred to as the Black Pirates. He was a Flight Engineer on the B-24 Liberator plane and flew over 50 missions between 1942-1945. He received 4 Air Medals, a Phillipine Liberation Medal, an Asiatic Pacific campaign medal and 5 battle stars. After retiring from 25 years of Air Force service which included stations in Saudia Arabia, Okinawa, Florida, Alaska, and California; he retired in Fremont, CA in the early 1970's.

Flavio was a man of honor and integrity and was respectful, caring and patient with others. He loved his life and loved living and he did not complain....except about food not cooked by mom! We all enjoyed watching Flavio and Mary Jane love each other, always flirting, always giving each other "goo goo" eyes as mom called them. Flavio's only teasing toward Mary Jane was that if she did not "behave" he would take the check book away from her and then they would laugh and laugh.

Even though dad's body grew older and sicker, his spirit did not. Thank you Papi for all the love, caring, and understanding you gave to me in your life, rest in peace; we will carry your love in our hearts forever.

Buried at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetary September 25, 2010

A special thank you to all of the staff at Fremont Hills assisted living for the over the top support you gave to my parents and family and of course to Odessey Hospice for your guidance and support.