Two Years
It has been two years since my father, Stanley Walter Jakubczyk, better known to everyone as "Stan," passed away. He died on September 23, 2019 on the feast of Saint Pius (Padre Pio), the great mystic of the 20th Century.
Mom had died five years earlier after suffering for so ling with crippling arthritis.
So what did on do in this day?
I talked with my sister. That was sweet. She is so wonderful. My brother was busy talking to customers. We talk all the time anyway.
I started my morning in prayer thanking God for their lives.
Throughout the day both of them frequently came to mind.
My older children wanted to get together and toast their lives. So we met over at Kristan's and enjoyed stories and libations.
God has blessed our family with amazing parents. Yesterday we had a special memory of their love.
the More Things Change the More They Remain the Same
Another year has gone by. July 19, 2019. Friday night. Another classic hot night in Scottsdale, Arizona. and I though to myself that I have not written a post in over a year. So here is a rundown of what has been happening and where we all are in the scope of things.
Lets start with Dad. Last December he had a series of medical issues which put him in the hospital. after a week at St. Joe's, he stayed with us for almost a month. Then he went to stay with Kathleen. Finally he felt well enough to return to his apartment over at SGR. He was doing real well until two weeks ago. He found himself going to the ER at Mayo. so prayers continue for his recovery and return to good health.
Petra is back at school taking classes to be a third grade teacher's assistant. She enjoyed being a TA for the Kindergarten class last school year. The school - Archway Veritas - thought she would be a great addition to the third grade.
Anthony graduated from Veritas and turned 18 all within a month. Now he is on his way to ASU and the Air Force ROTC program. He will stay at home giving William some company.
William will turn 16 next week. He is so very excited about driving. a junior this fall, he will also play football again.
Everyone else is out of the house and doing well.
I should mention that Sam is aboard ship in the Arabian Gulf and Peter is back at Camp Pendalton. He has a second deployment in the fall.
As for major events, we refurbished the pool completely removing the plaster, tile, coping and cool deck. Petra found two new lion heads to replace the old ones. We removed the fence. The new tile looks great. Such a blessing.
As for me I continue to practice law, though not at the crazy pace of the past. I appreciate all the support from my family and friends duing the last three years. I continue to grow stronger slowly. Thanks be to God.
I remain somewhat active in pro-life affairs though not as much as I wish. All in God's time.
I hope to get back in the habit of writing. In the meantime take care and let us pray for one another.
As Always,
John
Deja vu All Over Again
When I last wrote on these pages, I was thanking everyone for helping me to get through a benign brain tumor and the surgeries involved.
Then I went silent for the next year and a half.
While my friends and colleagues know what happened, many of you do not.
Simply stated - I had two more tumors and two more brain surgeries to remove them. The second surgery was on May 25, 3017. The third occurred on February 2, 2018. Following the third operation, I lined up to have six weeks of radiation. I am in week five and almost finished.
By God's grace, I have kept the office open and have been working half days.
I thank everyone for their prayers and support during this time of continued healing. While my vision remains seriously compromised, I am thankful for everything and especially my wife and my family.
Hopefully soon I will be back at writing down my thoughts and ideas.
Till then, God bless you all.
John
Staying Engaged
If anyone is still actually reading this blog, then they will have realized that there have been no posts since March of this year. Now the reasons are multiple. Facebook has definitely interfered with my blogging and posting not just on my site but others as well. Then there was the little matter of my hospitalization at the end of April and throughout the first two weeks of May to remove a brain tumor. Lots of fun. The convalescence included my not driving for six weeks. Not to completely out of the woods, another event required my visit to the Barrow Neurological Institute over at St. Joseph's Hospital in late July for almost a week. Recovery continues but ....well ... no need to be maudlin. The simple joy of being alive knocks everything out of the room. Events like these remind you that God is good and always watching over you.
My wife and the family were (and remain) wonderful. My brother, sister and Dad were there throughout all of this. Three of my young men went to Krakow for World Youth Day and came back very refreshed and kinder to one another. They are now, with the exception of the college student, playing football ( the varsity won their first two games) although Anthony injured himself during practice and is scheduled for surgery on Friday.
My sincere appreciation goes to the doctors, nurses and staff who cared for me. Thank you and may God continue to guide you in the very important work you do.
Finally, please pray for the repose of the soul of my aunt Dorothy Jakubczyk who died this week. Her husband John passed away a few years back. Her children will also need your prayers during this time of loss.
I managed to speak at the sixth annual Sidewalk counseling Symposium in New York (Staten Island) in early August. I have been giving counsel to many on a one-to-one basis. The elections are on everyone's mind but I will hold off on any comments until later.
Again thank you for your prayers. God bless you all.
