Francis

"Remember that when you leave this earth,

you can take with you nothing that you have received -

only what you have given."

— Francis Of Assisi

A man of his word.

Sixty-one years ago today Hope and Bill Quinlan welcomed yet another child into the world, Joseph William Quinlan. As Bill said to Joe years later, while he was showing off his first born, “Yeah, I was pretty excited about my first couple too.”

My dad was more of the giving than receiving type, so birthdays weren’t much of his thing. We always got cake and ice cream of some sort and all you can eat fish with a side of cigarette ash at Jack’s.

When he got to the 55 year mark, my dad threw a bash, not to celebrate another year older, but that it was the last year he ever had to work. With jealousy my mom pouted, “I won’t ever get to retire because I was at home taking care of the kids.” I can imagine my dad’s grin as he said, “Don’t worry, I’ll break you free.”

That he did. We sold the canoe livery and he set up my mom to retire at 56, but with my dad being sick, she wasn’t sure she would be able. Then Granholm offered her an incentive package and she decided to run with it.

She got her first check from the government today,

my dad’s birthday.

The Man in the Yellow Pajamas

Today marks the first six months of my life, without my dad. I miss him terribly.
And the one thing that really hurts, is that my dad knew how lonely I felt at times, always wondering when I was going to meet somebody.

Destined to single till death, I would tell him. And he would tell me very confidently, that no. That I would find that right person, and when I did, it would be forever.

I remember clearly sitting in the hospital chair in Ann Arbor, and my dad had just defied the odds once again. He was drugged up to be sure, but he was dressed in yellow pajamas. And he asked, "Did you come here alone?"

And I said, "Yes, dad. I'm always alone. That's how I roll."

He looked out the window and I can't accurately capture in print the look on his face, but it was one of complete and utter confidence... like he was looking beyond whatever was out the window.

And he said, "It's going to happen. And he clenched his jaw, the way he used to do, when he was mad or making a point.

His face said: It's a done deal.

I miss my champion of all causes... no matter if he was fighting for me to get paid from my job at the car wash or fighting for my heart.

Here I come

Colleen is trying to get me into this century. Wish me well.

The Dead Parent Society

...regretfully welcomes another member. I will pour my mom her ceremonial beer this weekend.

Many didn't know my grandpa, but he was awesome. He wasn't the loudest in the group, but he sure was hilarious. Smiles came easy. He was generous, kind and a little bit of a badass, I'm told. He wore massive sunglasses. I will miss him dearly.

Yesterday's Painting Trip

Lucky 7/7

5 Years ago today I married the greatest human being I have ever met. We hit the ground running....the next July we had our beautiful daughter Karly. The July after that we had our little man Jack....This July, we are sticking to only BBQ's and bonfires :)

Here's to you Scottie Patchin you non facebooker, non blogging love of my life :)

48 years ago today my Mom married....well, a pretty good guy for an Irish, ex-marine, beer drinking older boy. Kidding Dad...you are the best and I love you dearly!

Happy 7-7 :)

Lonesome Whippoorwill

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry
-Hank Williams

For me, blogging is a multi-sensory experience. Add audio and visual to accompany the words and I'm transported to another time and place, like Montgomery, drinking shots over Hank's grave on a Sunday afternoon.

Conversation in the back seat of my car last night between the two car seats...

Karly: Jack, talk to me...don't you like me?

Jack: Nope

Karly: Would you like me if I was wearing a dress?

Jack: Karly, I do like you, I just don't like the way you are acting.

It's like listening to yourself all over again day after day...funny stuff

Dream Shirt

Date: June 2007
Place: Downtown Las Vegas, Four Queens Casino.
Time: Middle of night. Dad is at poker machine, Kelly is at black jack table, until her presence is requested by B.Q.
BQ: Hi Kelly. Take this card. Go get yourself something.
KQ: What are you talking about, Dad.
BQ: I have all these points, go get yourself a t-shirt. In the gift shop. Go pick it out and I'll meet you there.
KQ: Heads to "gift shop" which is a glass booth full of teeshirts, mugs etc. Kelly stands around waitng.
20 minutes pass... no B.Q.
Finally KQ goes to find him... he is in the same spot at the same video poker machine.
B.Q. Hey kid. What's going on?
KQ: (mad) the shirt you insisited I get? I'm still waiting in the "gift shop."
B.Q. Oh yeah... had a good few hands, I forgot. Let's go.
KQ: Grumbling and mad now...fine.
BQ and KQ in front of booth now.
BQ. Pick this one. You like Pink.
KQ: Not really, but it's the best one.

Present day: I woke up and decided to wear my pink glittery Four Queens teeshirt.
Thanks B.Q!

It's funny what memories float to the surface as important. I now cherish the shirt that I didn't even want and the memories of my one trip to Las Vegas with my dad.