Just to give you guys a follow up....we had a memorial on the 15th for my mom. My big brother and his wife came out from PA. They brought my dad and little brother up with them from NV. My dad is doing a little better every day. He is still mostly bed and wheel chair bound, with only minimal use of crutches allowed. His lug is healed, and his ribs are no longer bothering him. They had to do some pretty heavy reconstruction to his left ankle and heel, and they put a large plate with many screws in it. His right leg is healing great, and they are letting him use it a little with the crutches. He's a stubborn Nam vet, and I guess that since the bullet didn't stop back in '69, and few broke bones sure as hek aint gonna do it now. Insurance has offered him more for the motorhome than it was worth, but there is trouble starting over whether or not my mom was seat belted. The rookie trooper that arrived first on the scene has been dismissed as a trooper, and was transferred to the fish and life division of the Oregon State Police. My father is going to sell the house in NV, and next spring, I will be going there to help him clear stuff off. There are a lot of 53-56 Ford truck parts that I will be picking up, and may just arrange a quick "swap meet" at my dads to sell the stuff I won't be able to load in the truck. Other than that, not much has changed. My birthday was the 23rd, and it was a tough one. It was the first time in 29 years, that my mom was not there to sing me happy birthday. Oh, on a better note, my father in law signed closing papers on the new house, and my wife and I now officially own our own home set on his 22 acres surrounded on three sides by protected National Grasslands. The fourth side is U.S. Hwy 26, and our only immediate neighbor is across the hwy. 22 acres to store old Fords on. That is something to smile about. I've been killing time working at a shop in nearby Madras, and have been working some more on my '53 F-800 semi. Can't think of any thing else major going on right now. I'll try to get in here more often, but things are still pretty crazy.

 

wmjoe1953, I'm glad to hear that your dad is getting better.

Also glad to hear of your new house.

Keep your chin up. I know it's tough, but you'll do just fine.

Happy belated birthday.

 

Glad to see you're positive and keep that chin up. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep the good memories of your Mom alive and hopefully that will help you and your Dad to be on the mend physically and mentally.

 

wmjoe1953, That`s good news on your dad, say hi to him from us.
Congrats your new house and happy belated birthday.

 

Wishing you and your family well.

 

Our prayers are with him and his family...

 

May God be with you and your family.....

 

Sorry to hear of your loss and thoughts and prayers will be offered for you and the family. There will be an awful lot of first in the next year and the memories you have of your mother and family will carry you through. May the Lord Bless you and the family.

Gear Up

 

Hope you're celebrating your mom's life and not mourning the death...tough to do, but was something I was rasied with.

Sure doen't stop the tears, but keeps a big smile on you face when you look back at all the memories.

My best to you and your family.

 

A quick just to let you know. Dad's doing better. He's able to do a little walking on his legs. Insurance paid him $7500 for his RV, that imo wasn't worth $3000. He is looking forward to getting back to life, and is probably going to relocate to my area. We are dealing with it, and we are all getting through it a bit better every day.

 

Glad to hear from you, Joe Hang in there, and like you say, take it day by day.

 

wmjoe1953, glad to hear he's doing better, as well as you and the rest.

It'll be good the have him in the same area as you, so you can be there, if he needs the help; and for company.

 

wow! I had no idea this had happened. I wish it had not.

I am glad to hear your dad is doing better. Thats tough to be stuck in a wheel chair (I know from personal experience). When you are, you will try your best to walk again. As long as he keeps his spirits up and keeps working he should do fine. Keep us updated on his progress.

 

wmjoe1953. I am sorry for your loss, but glad to hear that your dad is improving. It is good that you managed to get yourself a nice place for the toys.
Do you have any further thoughts on the firetruck?
I wish you all the best, and remember your mom as she was.
Don

 

I don't know if it's been posted, I know I forgot to, but he should have the firetruck by now as it was picked up by a truck about 3 weeks ago I beleive, hopefully Joe will let us know that it got there safely.

I will say the loading of it was somewhat of an ordeal, when I pulled onto the guys ramps with the rear axle it bent and broke one of the ramps, had to leave the truck sitting across the road here at my place (hard to explain but we were blocking the side street with the flatbed to make less of an incline on the ramps since the truck had no brakes, and a very long rear overhang) then drug the ramp back to my garage so I could straighten it out, rebuild and strengthen it enough to handle the weight of that fire truck. Told ya that sucker is heavy.