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Tag Archives: Family
51 Years Around the Sun
Birthdays ought to be recognized as personal holidays, as a unique celebration of an individual’s life.
I’m thankful I got to enjoy mine together with family today.
Dearest Victoria, on our Anniversary…
Victoria,
Thank you and God bless you for 23 wonderful years together.
I cannot thank you enough for your presence, comfort, compassion, patience, endurance, and determination in our marriage together. Together, we’ve been though nearly every Happiness and Hurt, every Joy and Sorrow, and we’ve been there by each other’s side through it all.
I thank God for you and for our family we’ve raised together.
with love,
forever yours,
Ken
A Most Glorious “Walkies”
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I was ecstatic to see 57.5°F on the outdoor thermometer this morning as we left before sunrise on our morning walkies.
As we walked along the woods of Sugarland Run, both Toshirō and Sachiko stopped abruptly and stared intently at the edge of the woods. It was so sudden and so intent that it scared me a little, so I stopped to see what they were staring at.
There was a majestic red fox standing underneath the trees just watching us. He was probably only four or five feet away from us, but showed no fear whatsoever of our two Shelties. He just stood, and then sat, and he watched us.
It made my heart leap in my chest. I’ve never seen so majestic or so sedate a red fox. I wish I could have stayed in that one moment forever.
Sachiko seemed completely smitten with the red fox. Toshiro largely ignored him, just watching.
Leaving for our walks before sunrise or just after sunset really is the best time to watch the wildlife around Loudoun County, Virginia. We’ve been able to see foxes, raccoons, skunks, deer, coyote, and bats during our daily walks.
I seriously need to clip a GoPro to my chest and just let it continuously record our walks, taking the best clips or pictures from each walk? No one would ever believe the red fox we saw today, but it brought tears to my eyes to see it.
The Persistence of Memory (Loved Ones Lost)
VICKY: Ken, did you know you typed ‘Kiyomi and Toshiro’ on your text messages to me several times today?
KEN: No. I didn’t. Really? Maybe.
[ Ken checks text message history. ]
KEN: No kidding. I guess I was thinking of her repeatedly today even when playing with Sachiko at lunch.
VICKY: Yeah, I figured. I didn’t want to say anything.
KEN: I guess I shouldn’t feel so bad. I don’t remember when my grandmother passed. I think it was the mid-1970s, but my memory is hazy. My grandfather and I were close. I knew the password for his computer and several of his financial accounts. Do you know what his password was in 1987?
VICKY: No, what?
KEN: “margeben“, short for Marge & Ben. My grandmother was Marge, short for Margaret. More than 15 years later, he still used her name as a password for his computer and his security.
VICKY: I can see that. We never truly forget the ones we love. Their names and memories live on.
Together as Family (Valentine’s Day 2023) and Breaking Hearts
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Our oldest Sheltie (Kiyomi) suffered a severe seizure (unresponsive for several hours afterwards, vet tells us likely due to brain tumor/damage) last week. She’s still with us, but she’s on Prednisone, Gabapentin, Antibiotics, and Anti-Seizure meds. At 14yo, we know our time with her is nearly at an end. We’re trying to make the most of our time together. It’s amazing how quickly time with our beloved pets goes by?
We were able to take better pictures of our Shelties together and together as a family this evening.
With love from our little family to yours… Happy Valentine’s Day.
Our Hearts Are Breaking…
A Temporary Reprieve and Last Time Together as Family.
Since I don’t feel like re-typing or retelling the events of the past week, this is what I told my manager and co-workers:
You know that Vicky and I weren’t able to have children, despite trying for years and then getting medical assistance (IUI/IVF). I finally convinced Vicky into our getting dogs about 14 years ago. We got Kiyomi the same month that Vicky’s mom died, and she quickly warmed up to becoming a “mom” for Kiyomi. Long story short, Kiyomi’s been like a daughter to us.
While working on my notification script on Wednesday morning, Kiyomi was asleep on my food and began spasming. At nearly 14yo, I thought she just woke up and was trying to right herself. She immediately urinated, pooped, vomited, and began having violent spasms. It was a seizure. She bit my leg and scratched me as I tried to pick her up. When I swaddled her in a blanket and tried to constrain her seizure, she let loose this horrible scream. I’ve never heard a dog scream before, but it made my skin crawl and my heart ache. There was nothing I could do for her. It lasted for a solid 20 minutes while I was trying to call Vicky and to get Kiyomi over to the vet.
Once at the vet, Kiyomi was unresponsive. The vet told us that 20-minute seizures usually result in brain damage or death. Vicky and I had to make the terrible decision. We signed the paperwork and as the vet was preparing the injection to put Kiyomi to sleep, Kiyomi raised her head and looked at Vicky. Vicky asked for a moment, put Kiyomi on the floor, she stumbled and staggered, but walked around and followed Vicky as she called or walked around the room.
So, we asked for more time, but the vet said that Kiyomi might only have days or maybe weeks, but that she won’t be the same after such a seizure. He told us to take care of her, enjoy our time, but prepare ourselves. He sent us home with steroids (Prednisone), anti-seizure medications, and Diazepam injections (in the event she has another seizure). He warned us that she may very likely have a second severe seizure, and told us to be thankful but to enjoy our last time together
Sorry for the “drop everything and run”, but it was a horrific experience. When people have children, pets take on a lesser meaning. Since Vicky and I don’t, and Kiyomi was our first dog together when we couldn’t have children, she’s been like a daughter to us. Between the shrieking seizure and the experience, …well, it was rough. Going to be a few days before I get “dog screams” out of my head.
Valentine’s Day, 2023
With love from our little family to yours… Happy Valentine’s Day! 🥰💕
To Be Real — What It Means To Be Loved
“Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’
‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit.
‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. ‘When you are Real, you don’t mind being hurt.’
‘Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,’ he asked, ‘or bit by bit?’
‘It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse. ’You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
― Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit
Little Comforts, Little Reminders, Welcome Home
Toasted English Muffins with Kerry Gold Butter and Dark Roast Coffee is a perfect “comfort food” for me.
My wife tells me that Filipinos also enjoy the same, where it’s known as “Kape at Pandesal” and loosely translates as “no hard bread in a warm coffee”.
Toasted English Muffins with Coffee always reminds me of time spent with my grandfather in Mahwah, NJ. The warmth of the muffins and the scent of coffee always feels like “home” to me. It reminds me of comfort and safety, and time well-spent with family.
Nearly half-a-century later, I still enjoy it for breakfast.
“Welcome Home” 🥰
In Celebration of the Life Of, and Saying Farewell to, Antonio Verdan
FUNERAL OF ANTONIO D. VERDAN
In Celebration of the Rising to New Life of Antonio Verdan
Given by God: May 22nd, 1939
Given to God: April 27th, 2022
- Greeting
- Opening Prayer by Fr. Joe Brennan
- First Reading: Wisdom 3:1-6,9 by Ken Foreman
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23 by Ken Foreman
- Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-9 by Clarence Que
- Gospel: John 14:1-6
- Homily by Fr. Joe Brennan
- (St. John Neumann Catholic Community Church, Reston, VA)
- Prayers of the Faithful by Arnie Mamaed
- Lord’s Prayer
- Eulogies by John Verdan, Victoria Foreman, Christina Mamaed
- Final Commendation
In Memoriam — Antonio Diasanta Verdan (1939 — 2022)
Antonio “Tony” Diasanta Verdan, of Reston, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, April 27th, 2022, at Reston Hospital.
Tony was born May 22nd, 1939, in Quezon, Philippines, to Elias Verdan and Luisa Diasanta.
He left the Philippines to work in the United States, hoping to ensure better opportunities for his family and children.
Tony was a devoted father, thinking of his children’s well-being before his own. He was always smiling and hard-working, often working 7-days-a-week to provide for his family.
He was a caring husband to Norma, by her side throughout her medical journey. To friends and strangers, Tony was a friendly and welcoming soul to everyone he met.
Tony is predeceased by his wife, Norma. He is survived by children, Gloria Mamaed, John Verdan, and Victoria Foreman; and his three grandchildren, Angel Mamaed, Christina Mamaed, and Sebastian Verdan.
FAREWELL TO ANTONIO D. VERDAN (1939—2022)
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/…/antonio-verdan-10731345
WEDNESDAY, MAY 04, 2022 — VISITATION
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
THURSDAY, MAY 05, 2022 — FUNERAL
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
To Love is to Be Vulnerable
❝ To love at all is to be vulnerable.
Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.
If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
To love is to be vulnerable.❞
— C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Together as Family at Christmas (2021)
Scenes from our family together at Christmas
From our little family to yours, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that you have a Happy New Year!
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Sachiko’s First Christmas
“Little” Sachiko is amazed at all the Christmas decorations and lights around our house. Kiyomi and Toshirō have already told her that Santa Paws will be here in four more weeks. 🐾💕
Thanksgiving
Scenes from November 7th, 2021 (my 49th Birthday)
Born on Tuesday, November 7th, 1972, this last Sunday was my 49th birthday. It was truly special and an honor to spend it together as family as we enjoyed good food, good movies, and time well-spent together over the weekend.
Happy Mother’s Day
“Walkies” together as Family
Simply and Blessedly Thankful
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These past few years have truly and utterly been a roller coaster on so many layers…
- I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer, I underwent two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- I travelled to Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, MD), the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD), the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (Seattle, WA), and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Seattle, WA).
- I was employed by Sophos, laid off as part of a reduction-in-force along with 130 other developers and engineers, unemployed, and then joined Teaching Strategies, LLC.
- Like so many others, experiencing a whirlwind of employment and finances as part of my medical expenses, the pandemic, the economy, and the stock market.
- Met and made many new friends along the way between Facebook, Twitter, and our medical travels.
And so here I am, a quarter of the way through 2021… by the Grace of God, I’m currently in remission. This is actually my second remission since my first lasted only a few months before my Mantle Cell Lymphoma made a re-appearance. Thankfully (and I fall to my knees and give thanks for this!), this is also my longest remission, going on a year now.
And so we just ended our 40-day Lenten journey together and celebrated Easter together as a family at home. I was hospitalized twice during the 40 days of Lent, for a week both times, so I do need to continue taking diligent and fastidious care of myself. I’m still neutropenic, immunocompromised, and battling Stage 2-3 Lymphoma of my left leg as well as the neuropathy that accompanies it.
But I am thankful beyond all words. Our family has been blessed and we’re fortunate. Our little family will be growing by one more in May as little Sachiko joins Kiyomi and Toshiro as our third Shetland Sheepdog. She was born on Sunday, April 14th (3.14, aka “Pi Day”), so she’ll join our Cinco de Mayo Sheltie (Kiyomi, born May 5th) and Toshiro (born May 28th).
Happy Easter!
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HAPPY EASTER!
Happy Easter, from our little family to yours… with love from Ken, Victoria, Kiyomi, Toshirō (and soon baby Sachiko!)
“Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath, man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”
—Ecclesiastes 3:19-21