Official SJ.com Las Vegas gathering, April 1-April 3, 2007

Folks,

I regret to do this for a couple of reasons -- not the least of which is that I was really looking forward to a couple of days with Uma and no kids.

My grandmother passed away this morning. She was 94 and an amazing person. I'm happy she has passed because she's wanted to do so ever since my grandfather died about 10 years ago. But I will miss her. I've never met a person so genuinely good as she was.

Anyway, her funeral will be on Monday in Idaho and I will not be making the trip to Las Vegas just a few days after that. I feel like a jerk for backing out of the Vegas festivities, but I hope you'll understand.

My apologies if this puts a cramp on the party. If someone knows how to switch a reservation at the Palms from my name to yours, my room at $42/night is available.

 

I'm so sorry, Ides.

 

Family comes first. Always. Take care of the family -- yourself.
We'll catch you on another one.

 

Sorry to hear that, Idaho. Was looking forward to meeting Uma (and you )

 

Sorry to hear about your grandmother, Idaho. As I said before, make no apologies--family always comes first.

OTD

 

Idaho.....

So sorry to hear about your grandmother. My condolences.

 

My condolences, Ides. Take care of your family.

 

Idaho, sorry to hear it.

 

My thoughts are with you, Idatater.

 

Sorry to hear the news, Idaho. Prayers are with you and your family.

 

Condolences to you and your family Idaho.
God bless.

 

Thanks for the well wishes, folks.

We are all fine. It's a blessing in some ways for her to go. Though full of life and energy just a few years ago, she had gone downhill significantly over the last couple of years. Every time I'd been with her for the last seven years or so, she expressed a desire to go and join my grandfather and her mother -- whom she never really knew because my great-grandmother died when my grandmother was a toddler -- in the next life. She knew her life was complete in many ways after caring for my grandfather for many years after he had a stroke.

I was just reading her obit. I knew most of this stuff, but it was nice to read it again. She was the 16th of 20 children -- WOW! -- and lived on a dairy farm in Idaho all her life. She is survived by six children, 39 grandchildren, 101 great-grandchildren and two siblings.

We're happy for her.

Again, thank you all.

But let's return this thread to its proper place -- Vegas is calling.