Little Pat's Memorial

Today, 2/12/12 family and friends gathered at a restaurant to remember Pat Vercelli. (We took photos but for some reason the computer won't let me post them on this blog. Maybe I can make the photos work later. But here is the text of my tribute. )

Good afternoon,

I am John Connelly, lucky to be called by Pat, “my little brother.” I am here with my wife Marilyn, who met Pat when we were dating nearly five decades ago, and remembers being warmly welcomed into her home on Buttons. Also with us today is our daughter Rebecca, who had a spiritual connection with the lady she nicknamed “Little Pat”.

Of everyone here tonight I believe I can claim to have known Pat the longest. When I was born into her family, Pat was 9. She was always my friend and protector. Let me share one little story that illustrates that relationship.

I was 6 or 7 and Pat was watching me, as Nana was gone. I took my bicycle out where Nana had told me not to go, the nearby parking lot of the old El Monte Legion Stadium. There was rocks and broken bottles everywhere–not a good place for bike riding.

Sure enough, I managed to take a spill and cut my elbow badly, I ran back home crying, blood everywhere. When Pat saw me she screamed and said something like “What have you done to yourself?!” You can imagine that, can’t you?

All I could say between sobs was “Don’t tell Mom”! She looked at my bloody clothes and shook her head, as if we could keep this from Mom. Then she laughed and gave me a hug. That calmed me down. She wrapped the cut and took care of me. Throughout our lives she was ready to be my friend and protector.

Let me back up some. Pat, Catherine and I have the same Mom. Many of you remember Nana. Her second husband was also named John Connelly. But Pat’s father, Beryl Baker, was Nana’s first husband. On this day of remembrance I include in my thoughts Nana and Beryl’s first child, James Houston Baker. Some of you may have known that Pat had an older brother who died of a childhood disease at 3 years old.

I’m sure losing that beautiful boy must have been a tragedy to Nana and Beryl.

But I’m also sure that today Pat is in the company of her loved ones, those who preceded her--her parents, her beloved daughter Chrissy and her older brother James Houston.

As we all miss Pat terribly, we can be happy for her as she now enjoys this phase of the plan Heavenly Fathers has for his children.

I have a firm belief that plan, the Plan of Happiness, exists.

I close this tribute to my sister Pat in the name of the older brother of us all—Jesus Christ. Amen

Family Home Evening

One of the fun aspects of staying at the VDO is the group of LDS folks who stay in the park. On Monday Nights we meet in the La Paz room for Family Home Evening. The responsibility for leading the class and bringing snack is rotated. Last Monday, 2/6/12, it was Gramma and Papa's turn.

We decided to play a game, we called FHE Ball, loosely based on a vocabulary game we devised in our Kalaheo days. We found that some of our most successful lessons involved student active participation.

The game began by dividing the students into two teams. At Kalaheo we used colored marbles. Gramma decided that here we would use colored rocks which class members selected from a box when they entered the room.

The team on the left were the white rocks which are called "Desert Rose". Gramma got the rocks at the Lapidary Shop, one of the many hobby shops here at VDO.

The team on the right were the black rocks, which are called "Apache Tears"

The first person on the team went first by selecting a category. Gramma asked the questions and Papa kept score on the white board. If they got the correct answer they could try for bonus points by tossing or bouncing a tennis ball into a waste basket. Becca was in charge of the tennis balls. The pieces of masking tape on the floor determined the points for the toss. Closest line was for one point (most popular choice). Next closest 2 points. Last line was for 3 (favorite choice for the guys--no one ever made it from there but caused the most laughs).

We had good fun with our fellow "Seasonal Visitors". We are living after the manner of happiness.

Promptings

If this story had a title it would be Heavenly Father and my Tire. Here it is. Bigfoot has six Michelin tires. Very top of the line. Very dependable.

My first prompt was to take the rig over to Discount Tire, where we purchased them, to have the air pressure checked before our road trip to CA. This is a good maintenance idea for anyone's car, especially if it has been sitting, as ours was, since Oct 15, when we arrived at VDO. So on Jan 27 I took the protective covers off these big guys and rolled over to the nearby shop. The techs put 80 psi in all six tires and we came back to VDO.

My second prompt was to not put the cover back on the tires. This seems like a small thing, but it turned out to be important. Remember Gramma, Becca and I are about to drive 800 miles, rt on these tires.

My next prompt was to bbq last Friday 2/3. The bbq grill is on our little patio beside the rig. Next to the patio was the rear duelie tires. And what do I see? A huge blister bulging out of the side of this tire! I was sick at first. I knew I'd have to go back to the shop on Sat 2/4. That night I had trouble sleeping over the matter. At 3:30 AM I heard a loud POP. I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. I grabbed my flashlight and went outside. The blister was gone. It had exploded. In the morning I saw this--a 4 inch tear. Can you see it?

My next prompt was the realization that I saw this problem before we had a blowout in the desert in a few days. Discount Tire agreed that this tire was under warranty and would be replaced for no charge. Additionally, they removed all six tires, inspected them. checked the balance and pressure and rotated them. Now bring on the road trip!

Here is the new tire. Nice, yeah?

Some may think these promptings are a coincidence. But I have a testimony that these are an answer to a prayer. I often pray for safety and protection for my family. Heavenly Father, through several promptings, has helped me take care of my family. This is not the first time that my Heavenly Father has answered specific prayers. But this is the first time that I have shared it in a blog post. I believe that our prayers are heard and answered.

Bocce Balls Bounce a Bit

At Valle Del Oro, there are a lot of things to do.

Becca is pointing to the sign on the wall that tells us when we can learn a new game called Bocce.

These Bocce Courts were added last summer. It looks like they are covered with grass but it is really artificial turf. To start the game Papa has to throw the white ball.

Becca picked the green ball. That little "bounce it between the green and yellow line" rule gave us all a little trouble but she figured out how to do it.

Becca rolls Green.

Papa rolls Red.

Papa is very close. Becca then that means that Becca can use up the last of her balls until she is closer. Not likely unless the red and white ball are bumped.

Papa is studying the situation.

Which ball is closest to the white ball?

The red is closest to the white ball.

Time to bring the balls back to this end.

One red ball means One Point.

Papa Wins!! Gram marks it on the scoreboard

Envelope please

This year there is a record number of nominations for The Best Name for Aunt Catherine's Kitten. And the nominees are: Whiskers, Piko, Buttons, Hola, Sugar, Cinnamon Sugar, Sam, Liam, Kekoa, Storm, Scary Cat, Freaky Cat and Diamond

And the winner, submitted by Malia Hammari is "SAM". The Judge (Aunt Catherine) was appreciative of all of the thoughtful suggestions submitted by her young relatives, she felt that the name "Sam" was masculine, like the kitten, and small, like the kitten. So the kitten is now officially "SAM"

Congratulations Malia!