THE FIRST VERY INSPIRATIONAL MAN IN MY LIFE, MY DAD
This is a picture of my dad during the Korean War he was stationed in Germany. I found this picture among his things after he passed away nine years ago.
It's funny how you never really know a person until they are gone. Of course, I was daddy's little girl. He always protected me and loved me unconditionally. I guess you could say in my eyes he could never do wrong.
I got to know my dad during the last 33 days of his life. He became ill in the fall of 1989 and by December 15,1989, he was admitted to the hospital. That started the most precious 33 days of my life. We talked, we laughed, and yes we even cried.
At the time I was 27 yrs old and had a husband and 2 small boys. But I was there everyday until the end. He told me stories of when I was a little girl and how he protected me from thunder storms. He was my hero. No man could ever stand up to those standards.
He was a good husband, father and wonderful grandfather to my two boys. They used to call him Pop Pop Ed. They were his world the last 5 yrs of his life.
I remember when Tim was born, my first son. He just stood in front of the nursery in amazement that his baby had a baby. He loved him from the day he was born.
When Kyle was born he did the same thing. He feel in love with him immediately. He was proud of his boys. He always came to visit them and wisk them away to spoil them with my mom.
The side of my dad I knew was wonderful, but what I found out after he was gone was amazing. He would give the shirt off his back someone said to me after he was gone. He helped so many people without expecting anything in return. I guess that is where I have gotten my compassion from.
I had a hard time with losing my dad, but he really never has left me he watches over my boys, Mom and Granny. You can say he is my guardian angel. The night I took the overdose he came to me and told me "Connie it isn't time to go yet, your babies need you. When it is time I will be back for you. I love you baby." I know some people would think it is the drugs I had taken. I beleive it was him reaching out to me and letting me know God had other plans for me and dying wasn't one of them.
This is how I will remember my Dad always, dancing. He was a big man but he could dance like a pro. My best memories of him and my mom are when they were dancing. They almost seemed as if they were dancing on air.
DADDY I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
There is a rose bush in the back yard that my mother planted in honor of my dad. Everytime something good happens the rose bush seems to bloom. It is like he is telling us he is happy with what we are doing. It is almost like he is still here with us. I truly do beleive he is my guardian angel.
Grandma Hartman and My Sons Tim 3 years old , Kyle 1 year old
EASTER AT THE BEACH
OUR FAMILY TRADITION
KYLE AND TIM AT HALLOWEEN. FUTURE FIRE FIGHTERS!
GRANDMA LEE AND THE BOYS AT DISNEY 1994
ME AND TIGGER TOO 1994
My how time does fly. One day they are babies and it seems you blink your eyes and they are grown. This is a picture of my sons playing football. Tim is on the left. Kyle is on the right.
THESE ARE THE MEN IN MY LIFE!
Here is Kyle at his eigth grade dance. I was so proud of him that night. He was so handsom. I realized my baby had grown up.
CORRIE AND TIM AT THE FOOTBALL AWARDS
We all met Corrie and her Mom Phylis in Florida. We became friends almost immediately. Phylis and I have become very close and Corrie is like my daughter. I could not love her anymore if she were my own. I guess you can say I see a lot of me in her. Tim is very proud to call her his friend. And so am I.
Here are the Chuck Wagon Girls!
This is my Mom on a trip of the Canyon lands. She is the happiest I have ever seen her.(She is the one on the right)
Mom in Israel she was so peaceful here. She prayed for me at the Wailing Wall and you can say that God heard her loud and clear. My life has changed for the better ever since.
My mom is one of the most inspiration women I know. She has over come more obstacles in her life than I can even imagine. She is beautiful inside and out. She is a great inspiration to me. She has always stood behind me and cheered me on no matter what I did. She is one of the guiding lights on my journey from the darkness to the light.
I find myself at 37 years old back home with Mom we have built on to her home and we are all a family. They say you can never go home again. But I am home finally, with Mom, Granny, Timmy, and Kyle. (Corrie and Phyllis)
Here is Phillip, he is Tim's best friend, is here all the time and he feels like this is his second home.
We call our home the "HARTMAN HOTEL AND FUNHOUSE".
And fun it is. Because of my Mom I am still here. She loved me enough to take care of me when I couldn't and now it is my turn to return the favor.
MOM I LOVE YOU.
Well today is Thanks Giving Day, one year to the day my life was changed forever. Last year I was called crazy and had no idea what I was going to do to prove my sanity. Well one year later I can tell you what I am thankful for, I am thankful for my family, my new friends and my true old friends. They have supported me more in the last year than anyone. They always beleived in me and the strength they new I had to what was needed. I know I had some doubts. Very large doubts. But one year later my children are stronger and wiser to the world. They know what it means to have friends you can trust and there are people out there they cannot trust. I am proud to say this awful experience has helped my whole family to realize that what is important, FAMILY. Being together and loving each other. Beleive me it isn't easy to do this but we have learned there are boundaries and we respect each others boundaries.
WE HAVE LEARNED TO BE A FAMILY!
There is no greater gift I can think of and that is what I am thankful for this year.
Tim and Corrie enjoying time together. He is now 17 years old and able to drive. STAY OFF THE ROADS LOOK OUT! Nah, he is a very good driver. I think it is great he has grown into a very well adjusted young man. He is responsible and loving. The best part of all is he just got his license and has gotten his own wheels. I probably won't see him much now that he has his car but I am very proud of him saving his money and buying a car. He is so excited.
Here is a picture of Christy. She is Kyle's friend. Kyle has grown to be a very kind and caring young man too. Christy and Kyle have lots of fun together they are best friends.
I am very proud of him and my son Tim.
