Thursday, October 8, 2009

Indiana Memorial



Phillip E. Delgado
Indiana Memorial

Catholic Funeral Communion Mass:
Sunday, October 25, 2009
***NEW TIME 1:30PM

St Maria Goretti Church
500 Northgate Dr
Dyer, IN 46311-1199
(219) 865-8956

Reception:
......Following Mass.....
3pm - 6:30pm
Aurelios Pizza
1412 W Lincoln Hwy
Schererville, IN 46375-1561
219.322.2590

Rt 30/Schererville

Private Party
Open invite to all of OUR family/friends!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Gardening Man

Gardening Man
A Tribute to a FullPhiling Life

Written by Nancy Johnson, neighbor to my parents
September 29, 2009
{This beautiful, beautiful gift was presented to my mom the day before the memorial}

The house on the corner welcomes me home.
this is not my house;
but a home that adorns the street where I live.
A neighborhood "welcome mat".

The tended garden.
The comforting landscape-
lovingly planned by the "gardening man."
Sweet roses and posies on Rose Avenue.

The "green man" statuary on the chimney,
significant of abundance.
Mother Nature keeping watch.
Phil, the living "green man"-
planting, pruning, raking, harvesting, enjoying.
Always cleaning, washing, building -
consistently celebrating his plot of land -
his corner of creation and lovely intention.
Always restoring in beauty, friendship, humility and affection.

Gardening Man - a true blessing for us.
Gardening Angel - a true blessing for all.

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam;
the house on the corner still welcomes me home.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

And God Named him FATHER

Phillip Everett Delgado, October 26, 1942 - September 22, 2009

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."
~Clarence Budington Kelland


Today the beautiful man I have had the privilege of knowing as FATHER, DAD, DADDY, POP, PA, was welcomed into the loving arms of God, our Father Almighty. He left this earth into the gates of heaven at 7:17pm PST. Our grief is overwhelming at times, and other times we laugh or smile and remember the wonderful, wonderful man who touched the lives of so many.

His failing liver and kidneys finally gave out and his heart pumped its last beats. My mom and I were blessed to be in the hospital room with him when he passed. We were also blessed to have time with him and say the Rosary by his bedside. The nurses at Los Alamitos Urgent Care who took care of him in his final hours, as well as during his many hospital visits, were beyond remarkably caring~~what a blessing! A special outpour of love to Nurse Sharon, who held us tight when the end came.

We appreciate and FEEL all of your love and prayers! Memorials will be planned for California, Utah and Indiana, where some of his ashes will be scattered in the three places he loved so. The majority will remain with my mom in their home. Details will be provided here on this blog when we are able to focus, however we are thinking:

CA MEMORIAL: Saturday, October 3 1pm-1:45pm; Pacific Ocean Memorial where he spent his favorite days with the dogs on the sand. On Naples Peninsula at 72nd street and Ocean; Oceanside (not bayside). Where I used to live, at end of the Peninsula.

Reception immediately following at my home:

UT MEMORIAL: TBD, perhaps early November

INDIANA MEMORIAL & CHURCH SERVICE: Around his birthday, October 26. Details to follow....

Everyone who knew my father is undoubtedly better in some way for knowing his love and caring. A giver amongst givers. An angel amongst angels. I know the life he gave me and my mom is the best gift anyone could be given by God. God sent him to us and has now called him home, where he is no doubt picking out the perfect paint color, Christmas decoration ideas, and ideal landscaping to enhance Heaven. God is smiling, the angels are dancing, and we still feel his love.


Monday, September 21, 2009

September Blessings


Dad was taken to ER today and admitted to the hospital earlier this evening. Many tests being conducted to tackle where the source of the latest problems are stemming. He hasn't been able to keep food or liquids down for several days, thus he's hooked up to an IV to counteract the dehydration. His blood pressure is extremely low and he is having a difficult time getting warm, but soon he'll have more blankets piled on.

His ammonia levels are very high due to the iron that's being removed from his blood through the portable pump (the pump is administered by my mom every other day for 12 hour periods). This amounts to a host of other issues, but his spirits are decent.

We've been blessed in that he hasn't been in really pain this entire time. Unfortunately today is different so we're anxious for the test results to return so they can properly treat the pain (they are unable to do so until they know what is what).

My mom has been at the ER with him for a good nine hours and it's nice for him to see her when he wakes up from naps. I know he appreciates this, and Lord knows I feel blessed she is such an incredibly strong caregiver.

Extra special prayers tonight and this week are appreciated. We are counting our September blessings. Love to all....

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Special Friends


A dear friend, Tina, blessed me with the most special gift during a recent visit out from Arizona.

Tina and I met about 20 years ago when she managed a gift shop/photo processing in the building I worked. Back in the day when photographs were developed by sending in your rolls and waiting 7 days, Tina became intrigued with my Chicago/Indiana photos after visits home. We developed an immediate close friendship having spent hours laughing over my being from the "can I go with" Midwest and she being a "totally" CA native! Tina is one of those people who laughs at laughing. She's radiates humor and heart.

When my parents still lived in Dyer, Tina's family opened up their hearts and homes and included me in every holiday and family gathering when I couldn't get back home. My parents soon became close with her parents. She now has a unbelievably wonderful husband, Bill, and precious daughter, Emori and laugh and live in the Phoenix areai.

My parents and I are touched over this truly special gift!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Thank you for Keeping our Country Free!

{Mom/Dad with my two girls, Coco and Biscuit}

July 4th was chock-full of laughter, smiles and amazing grubb!

Cooking is one of my favorite pastimes and this event did not disappoint. We had a smorgasbord of GOOD EATS...but the blessings came when Dad, along with everyone else, gobbled it all up. His chair dancing wasn't too bad either!

God Bless our Service Men and Service Women, many of whom are in our own family. We love you. We appreciate you. We are proud of you!
{...with Jon....and with me and my "DERBY" hat! No sun on my face please! Gotta keep the wrinkles at bay!}


Sunday, June 21, 2009

Pop's Day 2009


An amazing brunch at Di Vince Restaurant overlooking the Long Beach Airport. FABULOUS food, FABULOUS live music, FABULOUS views and even more FABULOUS company!

We all ate like horses (including Dad). It was nice that my friend Jon Finwall was able to join us on this special holiday celebrating the best father in the world!!






Saturday, June 20, 2009

New Puppy for Dad's Day!



There's no greater medicine than doggy kisses! And if you really want to up the ante, couple those kisses with puppy breath!

Mom and Dad rescued a Chihuahua mix at the local Farmer's Market last Sunday. Dad named her TYLER after fond memories of a beloved Northgate street in Dyer!! She was born April 14, 2009 and is A CRAZY BALL OF ENERGY--NON STOP PLAY = NON STOP LAUGHTER. It's been a healthy, beautiful thing for both of them.

Dad is feeling good these days despite certain setbacks. He's on a new medical treatment akin to chemo...more on this later....




Friday, February 6, 2009

Friday in Long Beach


Rough patch has turned into be the norm. Dad just has some more things that are starting to go wrong and they can't be fixed with meds.. I won't go into it all.....it just is. He and my mom are upbeat and they are an inspiration to me. I try to stay positive and enjoy each day we are blessed together. Your prayers and God's love are a beautiful gift and a source of strength for us.

It's raining in CA and since he gets so incredibly cold, it's important he stay warm and not catch anything as his poor immune system could not handle it. He stays indoors with a warm wool hat and scarf on and the temp turned high.

We did get word that a few of Dad's sisters from Utah are coming next weekend! It will be a wonderful visit! More pics to come soon....

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Rough Patch


My mom caught Vertigo earlier in 2008. With Dad's immune system so poor, he has now caught it.

"Vertigo: Causes nausea and vomiting and, in severe cases, it may give
rise to difficulties with standing..."


Dad is extremely weak and not able to eat, contributing to even further weakness. Doctor gave them both some pills but without food I think that just causes more nausea. He even fell but there's nothing broken thank Goodness. His fever spiked to 104 two days ago and my mom was just about to take him in when it broke after an ice bath.

Tough time in their household.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Paris, Food and January



Recently returned from a business trip in Paris and thought I'd share a few pictures of my culinary adventures! My mom and dad watched the "girls" which allowed me time to work and eat in this magical city. I ate far more than the pics show -- TRUST ME! Buttery, flakey croissants were in abundance....mmmm! From a business standpoint it was very successful and from a personal standpoint...well....it's PARIS!! I've always loved the colors of this beautiful city.





A favorite restaurant in the 5th Arrondissmont, near the River Seine. Our owner/waiter was a hoot, but you gotta love the "level" kitchen and stove! These would never pass building code inspections in the States! But man did this small uneven kitchen produce some AMAZING bistro fare!


Their cellar, which housed all the potatoes, etc, is similar to Midwest basements, only accessing their area below is via a narrow area of stairs in the floor. Reminds me of the basement at the Arias home on Osborne. {REMEMBER THAT LAUNDRY SHOOT? what a blast it was to a child!}


For a non-meater, it's still appealing to me how artfully they hang their meat EVERYWHERE!



Of course, what good meal would be complete without French Wine! I wonder if the Custom's Officer would allow one of these large beauties....


BURP!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy 2009!



An abundance of God's blessings for a beautiful 2009 for all family and friends.....

From our homes to yours.......

Phil, Phyllis, and Kathleen
(along with Biscuit, Coco, Truffles and Agnes....and the many rescue "orphan" animals being feed by the backdoor of my parents and by my back gate!)

Heartfelt THANK YOU

A HEARTFELT THANKS....


A most heartfelt thank you to the most special family anyone could ever hope for. We are so thankful for your abundance of prayers, and I know this has had a hand in helping me to feel better. Yesterday I had my monthly doctor visit and bloodwork check. I continue to be blessed as I was told that instead of going in every month, the doctor will instead see me IN TWO MONTHS!!! We rejoiced! This is obviously great news on so many levels.

He did tell me I still can not fly so I regrettably will not be coming to Indiana this year.

I can not thank you enough ---ALL OF YOU ---for sharing, caring, and loving me and my family with with your stories, your visits and your continued prayers...
Over the holidays each of you sat with us at our dinner table and became part of the blessings that have surrounded our lives.
Reading all of your stories and comments is something I will never forget and it is hard for me to put into words how much it affected me.
We laughed, we cried and cried somemore, and then we laughed again. We all enjoyed reliving the times spent with each of you as the stories unfolded.
For all of this and more we are THANKFUL....

We love you with all our hearts--
Felipe (and Phelia)