Good-bye Mom

Mom passed away at 2:53 this morning, May 16, 2014.  She died on month and two days after Dad.  She was the most beautiful woman I have ever known.  She was strong, an inspiration, and Christlike spiritual mentor to all of us kids.  I loved her more than one can say.

I was privileged to sit with her this week while she shut down after suffering a massive stroke on Mother's Day.  My brothers Tom, Steve, and Jim were all with me as we stayed with Mom through her ordeal.  We grew closer and promised to meet Mom and Dad on that resurrection morning.

I will be posting some pictures and stories about Mom when I can pull it together.  That may take awhile.  Thank you to all the family and friends for prayers and support.

Mom

As I sit here beside the bed holding Moms hand I am listening to her breathing. She is beginning to rattle as her lungs fill with fluid. It shouldn't be much longer now. She suffered a stroke on Mother' Day. It was severe enough that she would not recover. My brothers and I gathered together in a room close to Mom's ICUS and prayed as we made the decision to remove all life support. We wept.

The Doctor put her on an IV drip with morphine to "put her in a euphoric resting sleep".  And so she sleeps. Her rhythmic breathing is slightly labored. She has oxygen. Each one is taking turns holding her hand, there is no response.

I returned three weeks ago from Dads Memorial. It seems too much to lose Mom now. I was hoping to have time to do things with her but it is not to be.

As my brothers and I gathered around Mom to pray we all promised her to give our lives to Christ. She wanted us all to be in the kingdom and prayed for each one of us every day. Now we pray to release her to The Lord.

We face what is put in front of us. Sometimes it seems like too much. But god knows our frame. He knows what we can endure. I must trust Him. There is nothing else I can do.

While I sit beside her I think back to the time I was here before Dad died. Tom and Mom took me to Santa Barbara airport. I turn back to her after saying goodbye and wrapped my arms around her. " I don't want to leave!" Then I snapped a selfie of us. It was the last picture I would get of us together with her well.

I prayed for a miracle recovery. I'm sure so many in my position do the same.

Heaven in Your Heart

In our church there is the sweetest 3 year old.  Actually I have had the privilege of watching her grow since she was 3 months old.  Her name is Meredith.  Usually there is a smile on her face.  She is a toe-headed Blondie with hair going every which way.  That doesn't distract from the fact that she is adorably cute.

 

What makes Meredith special is that she absolutely loves to hug people.  Our Pastor wrote a song called "Love Your Neighbor."  Each week when Pastor Jim gets up to do the Praise Service Meredith is sure to get her request in to sing her favorite song.  There is a spot in the song where we all go around hugging each other and Meredith is the first one off her seat to start the process.

 

Whenever she sees me she say, "I need to give you your hug Grammy Sue!" I swoop her off her feet and she delivers the warmest and best hug ever.  I have to say it is very healing! She did the same to our Pastor when he returned from a trip.  He went up to preach and she ran right up on stage and gave him his hug.  He returned the favor right there and then.

 

One Sabbath she was downcast.  I asked her what was wrong and she said, "I don't have any hugs to give!"  I said, "That's okay. I have one for you and you can give me one when you find your hugs again."  She allowed me to hug her but she was on the verge of tears.  She must not have felt good that day.  I chuckled at her sadness about not having any hugs left to give. However that condition didn't last long.  The following Sabbath she was back to her normal self doling out hugs.

 

A few weeks ago I noticed Meredith sitting on the lap of one of our older church members, Josephine.  Josephine is a dear lady who lived alone at the foot of Mt. Blanca.  She was Polish and spoke with a  accent even though she had lived here for years. She made tasty perogies.  When we went to her home to visit her yard was filled with flowers and there was always food cooking on the stove.

 

Life had been hard for Josephine but it had made her strong.  She loved the Lord with all her heart.  Once I asked if she would help a church member who needed regular house cleaning and she took on the job wholeheartedly. Josie (an affectionate name the church member called her) became fast friends with the member and remained so for many years.  Her service for the Lord was well rewarded with this loving friendship.

 

I don't know how it started that Meredith began to sit on Josie's lap during church but when I noticed it I was amazed at how comfortable the two felt with each other. It touched my heart to see joy on Josie's face to be receiving such unconditional faith and trust from one so small. I remember thinking that this is what heaven on earth must be like. Pure contentment!

 

Two weeks ago I got word that Josie had a heart attack.  Silly woman drove herself to the hospital.  She told me at one time that she didn't like going to doctors.  She felt good and she didn't see a need to go unless there was something seriously wrong.  It came as a big surprise that she had a heart attack.  While finding out what went wrong the doctors found advanced stage 4 cancer in her abdomen.  She was dead one week later.

 

Meredith keenly feels the loss of her friend.  In her prayers she prayed, "Please come back and get Mia Josephine and take her to heaven so we can be together again." How quickly love binds us together and we feel the loss of it when it is suddenly gone.

 

I think God sent Meredith to our church family. She is living God's love that seems to keep us in proper perspective.

 

This is what Meredith teaches me: Love with all your heart! Give hugs freely.  Touch each other in tender compassion.  Hug with sincerity.  This is healing.....this is the touch of God. As Meredith says, "When you have Jesus in your heart it's like having heaven in your heart too!"

 

1 John 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Whose Punishment Is It?

My Mom bought a piano when we lived in the Arroyo Grande house.  She liked to play and also have us kids learn to play. It's a beautiful AcroSonic upright piano.  Now I have to tell you that my folks always took very good care of the things they purchased and still have many things that were bought years ago and they are in pristine condition.  

One day as I sat at the piano I started picking at the decal that said AcroSonic just above middle C.  Not even thinking I continue to fiddle with it until a large part of it was gone.  Suddenly I woke up and realized that I was going to be in big trouble.

I also need to tell you that Dad had the eyes of an Eagle and super sonar sensitivity to the things he owned.  Almost as soon as he walked in the door from work he said, "Who scratched the S off the piano!" Like most young kids around the age of 10 I didn't want to experience the garage. So I blamed it on the first person that came to mind because I thought he would be too young to spank!  My baby brother Jim!

I have an older brother Tom and two younger brothers, Steve and Jim. My two other brothers knew they didn't do it and I didn't often lie to my Dad so they assumed I was telling the truth.  Jim protested in the strongest way a three year old could but it was to no avail.  

Instead of going into the garage my Dad chose to spank Jim right there in front of us.  Poor Jimmy!  My initial triumph at fooling Dad began to sour my stomach.  It became all knotted and I started feeling ill.  Jim was then sent to his room. I went to mine saying I wasn't feeling well.

I laid on my bed and began to cry. I prayed.  "God, I know what I did was wrong.  I know I need to go tell Dad the truth.  You need to make me strong enough because I know I am going to get an even worse spanking for making Jimmy suffer for what I did!"  After I dried my tears I gathered up all the braveness I could muster....which wasn't much but enough.... and went into see Dad.

"Dad, Jimmy didn't do that to the piano, I did." I said softly with down cast eyes.  "I'm ready to take my punishment."

I waited.  Dad looked at me and saw how I was suffering, and believe me, I was suffering!  It would have been better to take the initial spanking and get it over with.  Then he surprised me. "It seems you have suffered enough.  However, you need to go make things right with Jimmy."

I threw myself into Dad's arms and said, "I'm so sorry Dad.  I promise never to do this again!"  He gave me a warm hug and then I went to face my little brother.  Being so little he was ready and willing to forgive me and gave me a warm hug too.  

Repentance is difficult, but the forgiveness I received was very freeing.  My soul, instead of being burdened and heavy, was now free to rejoice.  I never blamed anyone for something I did again.

I am reminded how Jesus took my punishment for me.  I read Isaiah 53 with different eyes now.  Christ took on all the sins of the world and died of a broken heart.  I am one who helped break it.  However, Christ was victorious over sin and made it possible for me to have forgiveness and participate in the freedom and joy of the heavenly kingdom.

I walked into the living room of my folks home in Santa Maria today.  There against the wall is the AcroSonic piano.  The S is still gone along with parts of other letters.  It is a reminder of what Dad taught me.  I'm looking forward to seeing him again on the resurrection day and thanking him for being such a good Dad!

Life Sketch of Paul Nazario

Senior picture at AUC.

Paul Nazario was born on June 22, 1922 to Andres and Susana Nazario in Puerto Rico. He was the third of 9 children. Dr. Dunscomb, who delivered Dad, encouraged Andres to bring his family to the US, so when Dad was a young child the family migrated and settled in Melrose Mass.

Dad graduated from Melrose High School in 1940.  In the fall of that year he enrolled in Atlantic Union College but six months later he was drafted into the Navy.  Because of his terrible seasickness he asked to be put in another branch of the service.  Dad was honorably discharged from the Navy and three days later drafted into the Army where he served as a Medic in France.

After Dad’s tour of duty was completed he went back to AUC to complete his BA degree.  While there he met Anne Elizabeth Ferris, a beautiful young nursing student, and decided he’d better keep her.  They were married September 11, 1949. Thomas Paul was born 1 year later. 

After Dad’s graduation he moved his new family to California in a one-wheeled trailer.  That is an interesting story.  Needless to say the trailer didn’t make it to Loma Linda CA but they did. Dad enrolled in the Physical Therapy program at LLU. In 1953 Dad graduated from Physical Therapy and Susanne Louise was born.  Dad decided to switch careers on the advice of a beloved teacher so he entered the second class at the new School of Dentistry at LLU. 

Stephen John was born in 1957. Not sure how that happened as Mom worked nights while Dad studied and went to school during the day. In 1958 Dad graduated and moved his family to Arroyo Grande and set up practice in the old theater building on Broadway in Santa Maria.  James Edward was born in 1960, (the last of the most beautiful children born to any one. Well, until the grandchildren started showing up.)

Dad eventually moved his office to Chapel Street where he practiced his Dentistry until he retired.

In 1967 Dad and Mom built their home in Lake Marie, just outside of Santa Maria. It has been their home for the past 47 years.  Here Dad enjoyed golfing, traveling, riding his bike, photography, baseball (and other sports),crafting fine furniture, and working in the yard.  He loved his home and family along with being a big support to the Arroyo Grande Junior Academy and church and Loma Linda School of Dentistry.  He built the steeple for the church that still stands today.

Dad retired in 1987.  He did a lot of traveling with Mom in and out of the country. There are photo albums full of their adventures with their friends or family.  As the years rolled by Dad preferred staying home more and spent a lot of time in his “orchard”.  He shared his bounty with anyone who would take it.  He often took boxes of fruit down to the Salvation Army or Food Center or to give away at church. 

 

Dad suffered from terrific pain in his knees, probably from being a catcher on his baseball team in high school and in the army.  This slowed him down in the later years, but if asked how he was feeling he would always say, “I feel fine!”  We are seriously considering having that statement engraved on his Urn! He rarely complained about his physical being.
 

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Dad was also very patriotic. He loved listening to the Mormon Tabernacle choir sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “God Bless America”.  He would tear up as he listened to them. He loved his country and we were very appreciative for his service.

On March 14, 2014 Dad passed away peacefully at the Gentle Care Home. He had the chance to see each of his children and some grandchildren and share a special time with them in the few weeks and months preceding his death. We feel blessed to have had him as our Dad and he will be missed greatly.  But we know that we will be reunited at the resurrection.  So - until then, rest in peace Dad.  We love you.

Being Seasick Can Save You!

My Dad was inducted into the Navy during WWII.  He lasted 72 hours!  Yup! Three days! When he talked with the commanding officer Dad told him that he shouldn't be in the Navy - he just got way too seasick! So Dad was honorably discharged and redrafted into the Army.  Still, that didn't save Dad.  When it was time for him to be shipped out they meant exactly that- shipped - on a ship. 

On the way to France, where he was to serve as a Physical Therapist Medic, he was definitely seasick and spent much of his time hanging over the railing.  Once on dry land he was able to do his job as a physical therapist for the recovering wounded. He also went shopping and was able to procure some parachute silk for his Mom who loved to sew.  He also got her some French perfume.  He placed his gifts in a trunk or duffel and stored it under his bed in a cabin he shared with several other soldiers.  The rest of the money he earned while in the Army he sent home to his parents for safe keeping.

When the war was over and Dad was sent home honorably discharged he had to return by, you guessed it, a ship.  Many cruise ships were used to transport troops back and forth.  Dad was on one of those ships.  You can guess where he spent most of his time.  While Dad was cruising the railing there was a terrific jolt.  In the night the cruise ship hit an iceberg. It tore a hole in the side of the ship right were Dad's room was and his precious gifts went into the sea.

Fortunately the ship was able to contain the flood of water and the ship limped into port.  I guess one could say that being seasick saved Dad's life.  I don't think anyone was hurt either.  I'm sure Dad's folks kept him and his brother, Andy, and sister, Mary, in prayer as they served their country.  God granted their prayer and all three returned home safe and sound.

I want to thank them for their service to our country to keep us free from tyranny and oppression.  We have enjoyed many years of freedom.  Unfortunately the new generation doesn't seem to care as much about those precious freedoms that cost so much American and Ally blood to protect. I am grateful for those who do get it and are willing to continue to serve this country's freedoms.  May God continually bless those who sacrifice for us!

Naughty Little Rider

It took a lot but after much begging Dad bought a couple of horses.  I had wanted horses since I could remember and it was great being able to have Lady, a quarter horse, and Jiggers, the pony.  My brothers and I spent many hours riding, going to neighborhood shows, and being cowboys. It was fun and I thought I was a good rider.

One Sabbath on the way back from church I saw at the football field across from our house a group of people who were taking turns riding a Pinto Pony.  I had always wanted to ride a Pinto. I thought they were pretty. I asked Mom if I could go over after lunch and ride the horse.  She said no.  Of course I couldn’t accept no for an answer.

“Why! I asked a bit upset.

“The Bible tells us in the fourth commandment that we are to let our animals rest along with us on the Sabbath.  You will have to wait until another day.” She explained.

Of course, in my mind, this commandment didn’t apply to rides at the football field and I made the decision that I was going to ride that horse! After lunch, I put on my jeans and boots and slipped out the back door. I went down the side road, crossed over the main road, and headed to the football field.

I stood in line and watched with pleasure as the horse was led up and down on the field with each rider.  Finally, my turn came.  A lady boosted me up and I settled into the saddle.  It didn’t feel quite right and my feet were not securely in the stirrups.  I ignored the ill fitting saddle. I could ride in it because I was a good rider! I would just hang on to the saddle horn if I felt like falling.

It was great! The lady leading the horse saw that I could ride and let me take the reins.  She made me walk the horse though.  I asked her if we could trot.  She hesitated, asked me if I knew what I was doing, and of course, I said, “I’m a good rider because I ride my own horse every day.

“Well, okay.  But be careful!” She allowed.

I kicked the sides of the Pinto and we were off.  I hung on but began to lose my grip on the horn.  I couldn’t hold the reins and the horn at the same time and my feet came free of the stirrups.  This horse was also a different size horse and I wasn’t used to the way he trotted plus I couldn’t anticipate his moves. I began to slip from the saddle. As the ground came up to meet my face I remember thinking that I was in BIG trouble.  Then everything went black.

The next thing I saw was Dad looking at me and saying, “Susie, can you hear me? Do you hurt anywhere?”

Of course I hurt, not just on the outside but in my heart as well.  I tried to get up and when I leaned on my arm a sharp pain shot through it. Dad bent down, picked me up, and carried me all the way home.  I cried from the pain and hurt. He examined my arm for any break and realized it was just a bad sprain.

Susie Nazario
 

“I’m sorry for disobeying Mom.  Are you going to punish me?” I asked

“No. You have been punished enough for one day.  You do need to tell Mom you’re sorry though.” He said while carefully putting a sling on my sprained arm. 

After telling Mom I was sorry for disobeying (and I really was!) I fell asleep on Dad’s lap.  I’m sure I slept a lot that night as I woke up in the morning in my own bed.  That day I learned it doesn’t really pay to disobey. There is another commandment I learned to respect and that is to “Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother”. They know what is best.  If I had obeyed, I would not have had to live with a sprained arm for several weeks which took me out of the riding circuit for awhile.

 

 

Don't Let Them Take Me Away - Stories About My Dad

Whenever Mom needed an errand done she would send me down to the local market or drug store.  Of course, I was only too happy to oblige because I liked to drive and Mom was happy to get other things done at home while I ran her errands in town. 

On this particular day with list in hand I headed to the car.  Steve and Jim asked if they could go with me.  Mom wanted to have some peace and quiet so we loaded into the station wagon and drove off to the shopping center about a mile away. 

We arrived at the drug store and I began to gather the items on Mom’s list.  I went to the counter and paid with the money Mom had given me, gathered up the purchases and headed for the car. “I’m leaving guys. Let’s go,” I threw over my shoulder as I walked out.


I was already out the door and crossing the parking lot to the car when I turned to make sure the boys were coming.  I only saw Steve.  “Where’s Jim?” I asked.  Then I noticed a guy in a white coat heading back into the store with my younger brother, Jim, firmly in his grasp. 

“What’s that guy doing with our brother?” I asked Steve.  “I don’t know.” Steve shot back as he continued to the car.  Hmmm.

I turned and followed the man and my brother back into the building and to the office which was situated in the far back of the store. It began to dawn on me that maybe Jim was in serious trouble.  Fear and panic were in his eyes.

Jim and Dad at Sue's house in Colorado.
July 2012

I need to stop here and let the reader know that we siblings were familiar with the “shed” which happened to be the garage.  Dad was a believer in the belt and we didn’t like experiencing that belief! We knew that if we got in trouble it would not be pleasant but if we got in trouble with the law that was something we were afraid to even think about.  Though I was too old for “the shed” Jim was not and I understood the look in his eyes. He knew he was in trouble in unknown territory! He was heading for full panic mode.

I went up to the counter and said to the pharmacist, “That’s my kid brother, may I use your phone to call my Dad?”

“Sure, it’s over there.” He answered as he pointed behind the counter. 

Now it was my turn to panic.  What was I going to say?  I didn’t want to call Dad, but I knew I had to. I walked over, picked up the receiver, dialed the number, and waited for the voice to come on the line. My heart was pounding out of my chest. I was terrified and nervous.  There were occasions in disciplining that Dad would lose it.  Not that he was cruel, but he just wanted us to learn the severity of our mistake and not do it again. 

“Hello?”

“Dad?”  I’m at the pharmacy.  Jim just got caught stealing something and they have him in the back office.  Would you come?” I waited for the explosion.

“I’ll be right there.” Click.

The calm with which Dad took the news was just not natural.  Putting the phone back on the cradle I turned to Jim and told him that Dad was on the way.

PANIC! 

“Dad’s gonna kill me! What am I gonna do?  He’s gonna kill me!” Jim blurted.

“Jim, calm down. You don’t know what’s going to happen.  Sit down!” I demanded.

About over the edge of sanity Jim blubbered, “NO! I can’t sit down! Dad’s gonna kill me!”

I came very close to slapping him into reality.  However, I decided to sit in the chair instead.  Jim paced the small office mumbling and blubbering how he was a “dead man!”

In a few minutes Dad’s voice could be heard. “Where is he and what has he done?” he asked the pharmacist. Answering his question the pharmacist informed Dad that Jim was in the back office.  “We caught him stealing these balloons.”

Then Dad with all the coolness and calmness that I have ever seen any parent exhibit said, “Book him.” He turned and walked out.

Jim’s eyes bulged out of his head; my mouth dropped to the floor, the pharmacist, clearly surprised, raised his finger just as Jim screamed out with all his might, “DAD! PLEASE DON’T LET THEM TAKE ME AWAY!”

The entire patronage in the store turned to look at the lunatic kid screaming his lungs out and crying a river of tears.  I began to shrink, or tried to, into the corner not wanting to be associated with these maniacs.

The pharmacist ran after Dad, with finger still raised, stammered, “Uh sir, this is obviously this kids first offense. We usually don’t charge them the first time if the parent is willing to take charge.”

“Well, do whatever you do,” Dad advised the man coolly. He returned to the car and waited.

The pharmacist went into the office, closed the door, and gave Jim a long lecture on how a life of crime gets started and that maybe he should choose a different line of work.  Jim readily agreed and he was released into Dad’s custody.

Before we left the parking lot Dad came over to the station wagon and instructed Steve and I that we were not to ever mention the incident again.  It seemed that Jim had a terrifying enough experience regarding the possibility of going to prison over stealing a couple of silly balloons.  It was almost more than his little heart could take.

That night at supper the conversation was minimal.  Steve, being the funny guy that he is, looked out the window and saw a police cruiser going by.  He turned and said, “Hey Jim, look out the window, they’re comin' to get ya!”

Jim, always the LOON!
 

“Very  funny.” Jim retorted.  He was relieved he was sitting at the dinner table with us and not riding down town!  Dad gave Steve the look that said, “Knock it off!”

For several years the incident wasn’t mentioned again.  Jim related to me that going through that experience taught him a huge lesson and that he never even thought of stealing again.

There is good that comes out of suffering the consequences of our decisions. After I was married I told that story on the radio in Florida.  I won a one year supply of Lemonade and a cooler to put it in.  I called Jim and said, “Guess what? I just told the entire state of Florida about your balloon experience!” He laughed and told me it was okay and that he won the highest grade in his English Composition class in college for writing on that very subject.

God loved David, the shepherd and king.  He gave David the throne of Israel and all the glory that went with it.  He called David, “a man after His own heart.” But when David messed up God didn’t remove the consequences of those decisions.  He let David learn from them – and David was repentant.

Dad loved Jim.  Jim learned and was repentant.  Good job teaching, Dad! 

Written by Sue Kanen

February 2002

 

And He Presented Him to His Mother

Dad loved to go on Sabbath afternoon drives.  One of these times Dad and Dr. Taylor, a friend of the family, went for a ride in the back country roads of Arroyo Grande, California.

They had a grand time discussing the scenery and the new Gold Caddy Dad had just purchased.  They came up over a rise on the Los Barros road that led to Highway 101 when they saw a terrible accident.  Debris was strewn everywhere.  It was apparent to them that the accident had just occurred.  Dad straddled the debris in the road not wanting to puncture any tires or damage the undercarriage of his new car.  He pulled to a stop and both he and Dr. Taylor got out to inspect the damage and lend help until the ambulance and police arrived.

The couple in the car was Hispanic and the woman held an infant in her arms.  Dad spoke fluent Spanish. The woman was very distressed and seemed to be really agitated.  She kept crying and saying over and over, "¿Dónde está mi bebé, Senor, me bebé? Oh Mi hijo pequeño!" (Where is my baby, sir, my baby? Oh my little boy!)
 

Dad was perplexed.  She was holding her infant.  Thinking she was confused he gently told her that she was holding her baby. "Mira!" (Look), he said as he pointed to the baby.  "no, no!"  she cried.  Starting all over again with her moaning, agitation, and crying, "Mi bebé,  mi bebé! Por favor!  Mi bebé!

Her husband in the car told Dad that they were coming home from the hospital where his wife had  delivered twins.  The other baby was missing.  Dr. Taylor looked back up the road and saw the pile of debris that Dad had straddled.  "That looks like baby blankets!" Dr. Taylor said with great concern.  Dad looked down the road and his throat tightened.  Not only did he see the blankets but he saw a short distance away a truck approaching. Without hesitation Dad ran to the pile of blankets and picked it up.  Sure enough, there was a small newborn infant wrapped in the blankets.  He was breathing but not conscious.  The truck driver slammed on his breaks, slowed and stopped before reaching the accident.

Dr. Taylor carefully took the infant and inspected it.  Making sure there were no broken bones or serious lacerations he placed the infant in the mother's arms.  The baby was dazed. "Muchas gracias señor! Gracias por mi bebé!" (Thank you, sir! Thank you for my baby!) breathed the relieved mother.

Dad playing with great grandson, Davy.

Dad steadied himself against his car.  His legs became shaky and he felt a little lightheaded.  The horrible thought of running over a baby began to wash over him.  Dr. Taylor gave words of comfort.  "God helped you steer the car carefully over the baby and it wasn't injured.  It was wonderful to place him back in his mother's arms.  We came along at just the right time!"

Dad has always had a soft spot in his heart for babies and toddlers.  For years he would get a strange feeling when he talked about that situation.  He also knew that God was in control and takes care of His little ones.

When I think of this story it reminds me of how God must feel for me.  When Jesus was on this earth he had many experiences of compassion and tenderness.  In Luke 7:11-14 a story is related of how Jesus was able to place a child back into his mother's arms.  It says, "When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, 'Young man, I say to you, arise.' So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother." How wonderful that mother must have felt to have back so precious a gift that moments before she had lost.

I am grateful for a God who cares so much for me that he "provides a way of escape". (1 Corinthians 10:13). He also restores to me the gift of life that humanity so carelessly tossed aside at the Three of Knowledge of Good and Evil. My heavenly Father, who doesn't ever give up on me, is holding out his arms and Christ who rescued me is placing me back in my Father's arms.  What a comfort! What a joy! What a hope! What a gift!

Written by Susanne Kanen

February 8, 2000

The Mighty Hunter

Watch out you pesky creatures small
Keep up your vigil one and all
For there walks one who is wise and tall
He is the Mighty Hunter.

He has a special place out back.
It's what I call the "Hunter's Shack"
All kinds of traps hang on the rack
In the shack of the Mighty Hunter.

Traps for mice and gophers and rats,
Traps for opossum, armadillos, and bats,
Traps for rabbits, squirrels, and cats,
In the shack of the Mighty Hunter.

Each day he goes out to survey the yard
To see if you are off your guard.
He places the snare to snap you hard.
This is the way of the Mighty Hunter.

And when you're caught he tosses you hence
With a mighty hurl over the fence
For the Vultures to eat without a wince.
This satisfies the Mighty Hunter.

So heed my warning or you'll be had
For if you're caught he won't be sad.
No one messes in the yard of my dad
For he is the Mighty Hunter!

Written for Dad on his 77th birthday by Sue Kanen



Dad

Paul Nazario
June 22, 1922 to March 13, 2014

My Dad died this morning about 1:00 am. He slipped away peacefully March 14, 2014.  He had been suffering from dementia and horrible arthritis in his knees. 

Dad was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the US with his family when he was 1 1/2 yrs. old. There were 8 children in his family. Pete, Dad, Andy, Johnny, Julia, and Mary plus twin baby's that died in infancy. Dad went to school for physical therapy and changed to Dentistry and practiced that for over 25 years.

It was difficult to see my Dad laying in his hospital bed at the Assisted Living Center.  My strong Dad was pretty much a self made man....well almost.  You know what they say, "Behind every good man is an even better woman!" Mom and Dad have been married for 64 years and in this age that is almost a miracle.

Walking me down the aisle on
December 14, 1975.  Pretty dapper with
the mustachio Dad!  Very handsome as
always.

My Dad was a terrible father!  He made me be respectful to Mom or out to the shed!  I was out there a lot for various infractions like acting up in church or not obeying Mom or him.  He also made me work.  I had to clean my room constantly! I couldn't leave the bathroom a mess either.  If it didn't pass inspection I heard about it.  He also beat the boys off with a stick (almost literally). He made me weed and I hated it.  My brothers will tell you I tried to figure out any excuse to get out of it.  Dad also made me save the money I earned. Dad insisted on good grades or boy howdy it was out to that stupid shed! I worked in the Dental office, the Apricot Orchards, and while away at school (the school pay went on my bill). Yeah, we went to private and boarding schools.  He believed in a good Christian education. 

Dad also was very afraid for us!  He read to us from the paper about the accidents caused by alcohol and drugs.  He didn't want us getting hurt and so he took us to see cracked up cars with brains still in the back seat.  Yeah, that did it for me...never used or drank.

Consequently I learned respect, a good work ethic, holiness in the sanctuary and respect and honor to God and authority, pride in my home, not to spend frivolously and save, saving myself for my husband, and there isn't a weed in my yard, and I got decent grades and have a degree.  So I guess he wasn't such a terrible father after all. 

Dad loved sports especially baseball.  He played in school and in the army.  I have his old catchers gear.  It's pretty cool. He didn't realize that girls could play sports until I was in high school.  I played baseball, basketball, tennis, racket ball, golf, horseshoes, and even tried my hand at surfing. I loved playing golf with Dad especially on a trip to the TI Club (Thousand Island Golf Club and Resort). We played 36 holes everyday.  It was a riot.

Dad  took us on family vacations every year.  We most often went to see family and go to reunions.  We had a ball playing with our cousins especially at Uncle Andy's Farm on the lake.  Steve learned how to swim there and we all ended up with swimmers ear.  We would sleep out on the screened in porch and listen to Johnnye Ann tell goofy stories and we would laugh till our sides split.

Early Family Photo
Sue, Dad, Steve, Mom, Jimmy, and Tom

Dad often took Mom on special vacations - just the two of them.  They went to China, Spain, Europe (I got to go on that one) that included Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.  They have albums full of travel pictures that would do National Geographic proud.

One of the things most dear to my Dad's heart was his service in the Army.  He was originally drafted into the Navy, but upon appealing to the board because he gets terribly sea sick they honorably discharged him and inducted him into the Army. He was a medic. Upon returning home from a tour he was bringing his mother some parachute silk and French perfume.  The vessel they were sailing in hit an iceberg and all his gifts went into the sea.  The ship limped home and Dad was safe but no gifts for Nana. He was also proud of his siblings service too.


Dad's 90th birthday,  Steve made a family album for him as he
was beginning to lose his memory and we thought this
would help him remember.  He loved the book.

Dad loved his kids and grandkids.  After moving out of our home we didn't get to spend a lot of time with him because we are spread all over the map.  However there were times like when Tom, Steve, and Jim along with Crista took Dad back to see the WW2 Memorial.  It was a beautiful trip and Dad recalled it with much fondness. Dad didn't talk about the service much until the last few years.  Then it was all he could talk about. He was proud of his service and his country.



Mom, Tom, and Sue with Dad
February 4, 1014

After Dad retired from Dentistry he developed a love for gardening.  He had a small orchard and shared his bounty with anyone who wanted some.  There are many pictures of him with his farmers hat on out in the back forty (well it was the back 1/2 but it was his field).  It was his peaceful place. He also liked trapping the gophers and other critters that chewed up his yard.  I wrote a poem called The Mighty Hunter for his 77th birthday.

I was just out to see Dad and Mom.  I came home last Tuesday.  On Monday I went to say good-bye to Dad.  He was in a good mood.  I asked if he would like to pray before I left and he said yes.  He then prayed a beautiful prayer.  I didn't think he would be able to do it because of his dementia, but he was lucid and I will treasure that moment with him always.  Somehow I had the feeling I wouldn't be seeing him again.

As we contacted family today I heard loving stories and memories of what Dad has done for each one.  I will be posting some stories about my Dad for you to enjoy.  It was heart warming to know that he will be remembered with fondness.

Everyone of us will suffer loss - it's the life cycle.  I hate this part!  But I know that Jesus will come soon and raise my Dad and other family and friends that are laid to rest.  They will be made whole and we will be reunited.  I have that hope.  Still, I miss my Dad.  Having him there always helped me somehow feel safe. He was constant. He was there for my 60 years on this earth and I don't know what life is like without him. It's going to feel really strange.

Rest in peace Dad.  Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." 5And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."…Revelation 21:3-5