Reconnect

I GOT TO MEET NICK AGAIN!   I know it is a little odd (maybe a lot odd) that as I get older; I want to reconnect with those who are part of my own history. And those of you who don't like it or don't care - don't read.

So anyway, via Gerald's death notices and his friends fond (and some not so fond, but we aren't going there) memories an old school friend of Whitey's called.  And another found my on Facebook; and thru their friend lists - I got a few more calls and more to smile over.  I found out that two of Gerald's favorite friends were able to visit him during his very last couple of days.  In the 'kites' that were passed on with his effects, I know that he was very, very excited over this visit!  Thank you Allen and Karen from the bottom to the top of my heart for making the trip over there!  He wrote telling me of the visit - the note was still in his boxes that came later.  It absolutely made his week.  In my heart, I feel that that final visit calmed his soul enough to pass.   AND - it was thru these calls - after he passed - that I FOUND NICK!

I was so excited - there are those that tried to pee on my parade - but I found him.  I hope those with poor attitudes just stay away from him - he had a hard way to go anyhow.  I am not excusing Gerald.  He was worse than a poor father; he was not a father.  He didn't know how to be a father.  He was written off and ignored by his own father from the time Mom brought him to Oregon clear to his death.  Of course, why would Jack Dean Smith make it any different for Gerald.  He already wrote off 2 other sons earlier in his life.  Yes, Gerald had 2 older brothers.  I don't think that Jack ever paid a dime of support for ANY of his sons and I know he barley acknowledged them.  I remember when our Mother passed, I contacted Jack, and he flat said "so what".  He didn't even ask about Gerald.  (I was so amazed that I was speechless, if you can even imagine that!)  So, in effect, that is what Gerald knew. When the Mom takes the child; that's it; you are done.  But that made it really bad for Nick.  But...

I found him.  I called him.  His wife Tasha called me back.  Nick has 4 children, a job that he has worked at for several years, he is close enough that I can even get by there again!  Tasha seemed to be a really sweet person.  She told me all about the kids!

So, after we left Bremerton, we spent the next night at 7 Feathers in Canyonville, OR.  We were on our way out of the parking lot, headed for Mom's (my stepmom) in Anderson, when Tasha called me again.  Unfortunately Nick was at work so our little visit would be very short.  So, Tasha met us at the Interstate and we followed her (and baby Ethan and their oldest, Candice) over to where Nick works.  He took his break and came out.  I got a couple of hugs, their address, a little bit of history, found out that Arlene is doing well, and I got a couple of hugs (did I say that already? hahaa).  Since Nick was on break - it was a very short visit - but Tasha and the kids went to Mexican lunch with us.  What sweet kids - I got to sit and hold Ethan to my heart's content.  I LOVED it!!

Way to soon Tasha needed to go meet the school bus, she invited us to their home and to meet the other kids but...

It is winter, their is snow on the passes, the prediction is for more snow, so, we felt the need to get over them during the daylight.

But I met them, the ice is broken and I certainly hope to see more of them.

My one regret is...I was so excited - I didn't get any pictures... but Ethan looks so much like Nick and Nick's great-grandma Haven Smith!

So, on to Mom's we go!!

Here is a couple that Keith took.  Medford, Or, and the Siskiyou Mountains between Oregon and California!

When is the last time you saw a Woolworth's sign?

 

I5 over the Siskiyou's

Snow wasn't bad - but it turned out we were just in front of the storm!

Gerald - May You Rest in Peace

This is a very old photo of my baby brother, Gerald, and my son, Jeremy.  It was taken in Reisterstown Maryland in 1972.  Gerald was 10 years old and Jeremy was probably about 4-5 months old (Jeremy is amazed by his hand).  Now, both have left us. Both deserved a longer and better life.  I am not here to say what life choices should have been made differently, or by whom, or if any choices would have made any difference in God's plan for either of them.  I know that this is the time and way that I wish to remember Gerald.  Before life, regrets, and many miles came between us.  I have other photos, much more recent ones.  They show the ravages of time and the disease that finally took his life and were not the happy ones that this one is. 

Although he spent most of his life in a  not-so-good way he deserves to be mourned.  It is sad that this will probably be his only tribute.  The list of people to contact is very, very short.  Life just shouldn't be that way.  I do have to thank all the people that assisted him in this last journey.  The Hospice workers and the Chaplin were so very nice.  They all went out of their way to make sure I could visit whenever I could get over to Pendleton, making special arrangements when necessary.  Even fellow inmates were accommodating for our last visit.  The Chaplin said Gerald passed quietly in his sleep much quicker and more mercifully than expected.  There was no real warning that he was this close to the end of his time.  Although we all knew it was getting closer ~ well ~ I guess I  wasn't ready for it to be it.  I was planning to visit again in just a couple of weeks and sent a card just 2 days ago letting him know that I was thinking of him.
 
Although we still don't know for sure about Jeremy, I am sure that Mom (and probably Jeremy to) was waiting to welcome Gerald with open arms.  May you rest in Peace Little Bro' - keep watch.

I love you.
 Gerald Dean Smith
April 9, 1962 - November 12, 2010
Born in Portsmouth, Ohio and died in Pendleton, Oregon
Son of Jack and Betty Smith, brother to Diane (Bland) Beatty, Sharen (Bland) Rea, and 2 estranged brothers, George and Randy Smith. Gerald had 1 son, Nicholas, and a grandson whom I never met.  His nieces and nephews included S'te Elmore, Brett, Michael, and Caleb Bettin.  He was preceded in death by his Mother, Betty, and  most probably his oldest nephew, Jeremy Bright.    He spent his early life in Maryland before moving to Myrtle Point in 1974.  He then went to school in Myrtle Point and afterwards lived and worked all over.  At one time he coached the Tubby's baseball team (including his star player, Jeremy) to a winning season, making the front page of the newspaper!  He worked in the logging, construction, fishing, and food industries for several years before becoming ill.  Gerald had many life struggles and with God's mercy, they are now behind him, he is without pain, and, hopefully, he was able to make his peace with everyone as he did me, I hope he is finally at peace with himself.