January 18, 2015
Hi there friends and family, I have been quite negligent in updating my dad blog, and I apologize. I'll try to get you up to speed since my last post on December 11.
Dad has been doing quite well, and had a rejuveniation at the end of December. He responded very well to physical therapy and resumed the use of his inhalers, which he previously found to be ineffective. Well he now appreciates how much the inhalers help, so he has become convinced of their usefulness. He also greatly appreciates his fancy walker and feels much more confident and comfortable in having it on hand when he moves about. He doesn't use it at home as his treks involves fairly short distances. He is sleeping fairly well and enjoying his peaceful abode.
He had a full house over Christmas as I believe we all made it to Olathe at one time or another over the holidays. Jims, Tonys, Sharons...all of us, made it at one time or another to Aberdeen. Our visits are extremely tiring but he hangs in there as we cycle in and out over the days and evenings. We try to go in small groups because it's easier to be heard and understood. When there are a couple of our families together, its a verbal donnybrook with two or three small conversations going on at once. Yeah, not good. Everyone's missing one story or another!
Dad and little Ben Rankin
Joe Rankin and son Ben
Paul Rankin and girlfriend Nastya
Susan, Mike and Paul Rankin
Payden, Joe, Carolyn
Brit and Ali
Dad was honored by Aberdeen with a personal retrospective of dad's artwork. I am attaching a copy of the Aberdeen Art Gallery News that announced his art show, which will run from January through mid February. I am also attaching some of the images of the process of hanging the photos. The gentlemen in the pictures are Bill Walters, who is the volunteer Director of the art gallery, and his buddy Ed.
Dad has been attending to his regular schedule in January. He normally goes down to the dining room for lunch, and then snacks on various treats and Coke for supper. Susan and Cindy (and the two Mikes) have been taking the greatest care of him and we all honor their tender loving care. Susan is in charge of his business and personal affairs, and both Susan and Dad have been working hard to get things in ship shape.
Dad was visited on Sunday by a friend of Susans named Trish Maggio from Miami, Florida, Trish's sister and their 94 year old father. Dad had painted a picture for Trish in the past and when she heard that he was unwell, they wanted to make sure to get a visit in. That group is pictured below (and also at the top of this post), in front of some of dad's paintings in the Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Ali, Brit, Payden and I were just there this weekend and dad is doing just fine. His tumor has grown quite a bit but doesn't bother him. He's not in any pain from it and it doesn't seem to be having any impact right now. As we were vising him last night, the whole Potter gang joined dad for a visit as well. Joel was in town (without his family) for the funeral of Mike's father Duane Potter. It's been quite a while since any of us have seen Joel, so it was quite a treat.
Fabulous Potter family selfie with dad
Joel and Ashley with dad in front of a bare wall since many of dad's paintings
are downstairs in the art gallery.
We sent another shipment of books to Pat Schartz at the auxillary at the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. She is selling the heck out of dad's books, and he is hearing from old friends from far and wide who have had a chance to read his book. That is a great joy to him and all of us! (Link to purchase book: www.lulu.com "No More Homemade Butter") A few years ago Susan and Sharon put together a book of his paintings (to that date) with a description of the paintings and his artistic process. That might still be available on Shutterfly.com.
My daugher Ali was walking through the art gallery last night at Aberdeen as Bill Walters was giving a visitor a tour of dad's paintings. Ali stopped by to describe some of the backstory to a few of the paintings, and the visitor's eyes were brimming with tears. He told Ali to tell her grandpa that he gave immense joy to a stranger that night, and to be sure and tell her grandpa how much he enjoyed looking at his art. Ali did tell dad the story, and we were all touched.
Dad is still busy surfing the web on his iPad as it brings him hours of joy and entertainment. Dad is following this blog, and he wanted me to tell you all that he sends along his love and best wishes. Thanks for all your prayers and support.
My best, Carolyn
