Time flies

My dear sweet niece, Rachel, just turned 17 on Thursday! Can you believe that folks? I sure can't. I mean I know that I'm getting older all the time, as is everyone, so it shouldn't come to me as a surprise that she's broaching full (legal) adulthood but for some reason it really does. And she really has grown into a beautiful young woman to boot, though the picture definately shows more of her "I'm related to Tracy" goofy side. She's trying to make my nephew Collin giggle by the way, Im pretty sure she was successful in that endeavor. But I think thats good. I know a lot of you have pictures of me with ummmm interesting expressions on my face, and I have copies of quite a few of them myself... >>>> case in point. So what if I'm staring dreamily at a Dairy Queen sign. Don't judge me! Those were college years and Dairy Queen ice cream was outside my monetary means. If I remember right Kati and I were driving down Higgins Ave one night and saw Erin out with Campus Crusade at the walk up Dairy Queen so we stopped to pester them. Aww memories. Doesn't seem all that long ago yet I know it was at least 5 years ago now. So that brings me back to the point I was trying to make earlier. Time really does fly! And with everything that has gone on over the past year I have a greater appreciation for life and how to really live it. There is something to be said about making each day count. Hopefully I'll get back to the point where I'm able to do that.

 

Valentine's Day Fun for You

First and foremost, I want to wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day. I know that corporate America has turned this holiday of love into a mishmash of commercial sappiness, but I have a mission for you all that will hopefully get this occasion back to its bare roots. The mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find one person that may be spending the day alone and show that person in some way that they are cared about. Maybe its just inviting them to coffee or sending them an email that says hello, the way you do it doesn't matter just as long as its a small sign of how you feel about the person and how much they mean to you. The idea behind this is so that no person on Valentines Day feels left out. Its not a big deal and you really don't have to go out of your way to do it... but trust me it will make a difference to that one person. So have fun with this and enjoy the day. Share your love with others. Love you all and God Bless.

Day is Done

My family and I laid my loving father to rest this morning in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Cheyenne. It was definitely a bitter sweet ending to a life that most definitely touched many others. It was so nice to see the many faces of friends and family offering willing shoulders to cry on if need be and more to lift a person up when they needs a bit of light in their day. It has most definitely been a hard year and I see that my dad was the model of courage and fortitude both when it comes to battling illness and hardship as well as enjoying a life well lived. I hope that one day I can follow in his footsteps with even half the class and dignity he has shown me. I have to admit I'm pretty numb at the moment and am not exactly sure what I want to say here. But I did feel like stealing away to my room for a moment and saying something on here that was much more meaningful then this is coming out. Maybe in the next day or two my thoughts will quit running rampant and I'll be able to write out something more deserving of my dad's praises and accolades. Again please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Dad is in a better place but it is we who remain that have it hard. Love you all.

Dad's Tribute

Robert A. Bennett
July 31, 1943 – January 27, 2009

Longtime Cheyenne resident and Wyoming Bureau of Land Management State Director Bob Bennett,65, was called home to the loving embrace of God on January 27 surrounded by his family at his daughter’s home in Westminster, CO.

Born second son on July 31, 1943 to parents Don and Margaret Bennett, Bob was raised in Bremerton, WA where he graduated from West High School. In the summer of 1958, Bob met his future bride of 43 years, Patricia. In 1965, he received a Bachelor of Forestry degree from the University of Montana and was also commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. After completing his degree, he married Patricia and was stationed as an armor officer with the 3rd Battalion, 35th Armor, 4th Armored Division in Bamberg, Germany where his two older daughters , Robin and Brenda, were born.

Upon separating from the active duty as a Captain, Bob worked as a forester for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources being located in both Burlington and Enumclaw, WA. After the birth of his son, Brian, he returned to the University of Montana to earn a Masters of Science Forestry degree. At this juncture, Bob dedicated himself to a lifelong career of service to his country as both an officer in the Army Reserve and as a civil service employee of the Bureau of Land Management. He served in various capacities and locations with BLM including Missoula and Miles City, MT, and then on to Cheyenne, WY where his youngest daughter Tracy was born. Bob retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve in 1992. In 2000, Bob became Associate State Director in Salt Lake City, UT and culminated his career’s journey with his present position in Cheyenne.

He enjoyed many hobbies including camping, running, swimming, reading, and spending time with family and friends. He was especially passionate about hunting whether it be birds or big game getting out for the hunt as often as he could. Bob was an involved member of St. Mary’s parish and an ardent supporter of Seton/St. Mary’s Catholic Schools, with particular interests in youth ministry and the athletic association. Additionally, he belonged to both the Knights of Columbus and Right to Life of Laramie County.

Bob committed his life to being a loving husband and caring father and grandfather. He was a steadfast friend and leader who always greeted others with a broad smile and a witty comment. As family, friends, and colleagues gather together at this time, Bob will be remembered as a sincere, gregarious, life-loving, and faithfilled person.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patricia and older brother, Richard Bennett and wife Marilyn. He is also survived by the families of his children; Robin and Carl Hart with their sons Damon and Malakai; Brenda and Mark Hancock with their daughters Rachel and Rebecca; Brian and Cadie Bennett with their son Collin, and Tracy Bennett. His extended family also includes Mary and Larry Havens, Fred and Linda Phillips, Jackie and Biff Schaffer and numerous other relatives.

Services include a rosary at 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 3 as well as a funeral liturgy presided by Ret. Bishop Joseph Hart at 10:30 am Wednesday, February 4 both at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Flowers are welcome ( send to Wiederspahn Radomsky Funeral Home). Alternative contributions to Villa Loretto Sister Servants of Christ the King, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, or the College of Forestry and Conservation via the University of Montana’s Excellence Fund are also appreciated. Donation information for these organizations is available from Wiederspahn Radomsky’s

26!!! WTF!!!

I have come to the conclusion today that I'm an "old fart". Both my 13 year old niece and my 13 year old nephew made it a point to say that I'm twice their age today with and extraordinary amount of shock and awe. When did 26 become old you ask? When I get to be twice the age of my own family members. Now I know how my siblings felt when I said the same bloody thing to them. I guess its only fair then right? No actually I'm digging being 26 even though I'm only about 12 hours into my new age its been treating me well. Can't say as I've done anything all that spectacular but I am getting to spend it with my Dad, Mom, and the whole Hancock crew. Can't say thats a bad deal at all. Just wish Mace was here to share the day with me as well. I guess since we're going to married and all there are plenty of years to make up for a couple missed birthdays on both our accounts. Anyway... hope everyone else out there is having a great day where ever you may be. Love you and miss you all.

Long Couple of Nights

It has definitely a few long nights here in Denver. Mom had to go deal with some stuff up in Cheyenne with Brain so Robin and I have been staying overnight in the hospital room with Dad. I don't think we have slept for more than about an hour over those 3 nights. The oxygen that Dad is on constantly makes him super thirsty and he somehow manages to ask for a sip of water in the middle of the night even when he is completely asleep. So one of us has jumped up and made sure he hasn't been getting too parched. And I thought I drank a lot of water over a 24hr period. Dad has been putting me to shame in that category lately *grins*. When Dad's awake we've all been cracking jokes just to get him to smile a bit and when we are successful it makes each day seem worth while. Sadly the smiles are harder to come by these days since Dad has been snoozing quite a bit. Healing from multiple surgeries over the past month takes the piss and vinegar out of a person. Our hope though is to take him back home to Brenda's within the next few days. The idea is that he will be less stressed and more comfortable there with just family taking care of him and a nurse coming every few days or so to make sure everything is alright. Hope all is going well with all of you and that you are enjoying each and every minute of your days.

The theme for today is "Foresters Rock"

So one of the new things that the hospital in CO that my dad is in has added over the past few months is a white board in each of the rooms and an accompanying marker to go with it. Now most people would probably leave this alone thinking that it was just for doctors and nurses to write details about the patients on such as goals for the day and goals for discharge. My family on the other hand has gotten crazy with this little piece of easily changeable mode of art at the end of dad's bed. Each day since it has been up on the wall I write the basics on it such as the date,who Dad's nurse and CNA are for the day, and how many reps of his PT he has to do for the day which takes up very very little of the space. SOOOOO I've gotten creative much to the amusement of dad and my siblings. Anything to put a smile on dad's face. For the past couple days its been drawings and messages related to the New Years celebration but today it was time to get creative and reflect dad's roots at UM. In big bold letters I wrote Forester's Rock and then drew a pine forest that had gone through a selection cut... stumps and all! Dad thought it was great and that just made my day. Just have to start thinking about what I'll have to draw on there tomorrow to entertain my father and distract him from the pain. I'm taking suggestions so feel free to contribute. Keep smiling and keep us in your prayers.