Leonard Gokey

The smell of the turkey in the oven , fresh baked pies and all the activity in the kitchen Mom working so hard to see to it that it all comes together for us to enjoy as a family  . Today as I sit in my chair in the family room and smell the Turkey and the pies  and linda working so hard to see to it that everything is just right  ,makes me remember those days of my childhood, it makes me Thankful to have had such a great Mom and Dad. , and Thankful to have such a great family of my own .So Happy and Thankful to have such great memories. Happy Thanksgiving Mom & Dad.

Shirts ,ties ,tools and William Penn Cigars, just some of the things that we would wrap as a gift for you on this special day to show our love and appreciation for all that you had done for us as our Dad. Today we are without you here to present with gifts ,but we still love and appreciate all you are as our Dad. There are no words to express the void in our lives here without you, The memories of you help us get through and hang on to a much Happier time when you were here with us to enjoy this Day. This year we find some comfort knowing that you will celebrate your day of being such a great Dad with Mom who has again joined you there in Heaven.
Happy Fathers Day ,Dad. 

Its Christmas Time again , and as usual there are people still running around shopping for the last minute gifts on there list and getting there homes fitted with the trees and garlands to make their Christmas's memorable . It seems that each year it gets to be more and more important to get the right gifts and have the right decorations. I thank both of my parents for the values of the Christmas season that they instilled in me. While I am sure that behind the seens Mom was hurried to see to it that the right gifts and the house was festive, she made sure as Dad did to make sure that we were aware of what the season and the celebration was about. We went to Catholic schools and we went to Church every Sunday , While we enjoyed the season of giving and celebrations, we understood that this was the season of Joy and Love for the new born King, Jesus Christ. Its amazing how many people get wrapped up in the celebrations of the Holidays, the gift giving ,and the decorations without even a thought to what the season is about. Not to say that I myself have been guilty of falling into the commercialisation of the season , it can be a real test not to do so. I have always been thankful for my Dad and my Mom and what they have taught me, and now each Christmas Season it is easy to rejoice and be Thankful for our new born savior and for having the incredible parents that I had that helped guide me through-out the years to put Jesus Christ our savior first durring the Christmas season.  Its been almost 5 years now that Dad has gone to be with Our Lord , but everyChristmas Season since brings back good memories of all the Christmas that I had with both of Them. Today our most cherished decoration is the Nativity Scene that we place in the entry of our home underneath the Crusifix that remains there all year long to remind us why Christmas is such a Joyous celebration.

It is such a great feeling to have so much support when going through a difficult time in your life, Its what gives us the streangth to face things and get through.  In the past few weeks I have recieved such an outpouring of support. My brothers Len and Dave visiting from New York and thier wives and families. My nieces and Nephews,  our friends from Horsehead Ranch, our friends from Zephyrhills and neighbors here in kathleen ,all have visited ,called, e-mailed,posted,and sent cards.  These efforts on thier part making the time of my convelescents go by and my road to recovery even faster.
I remember when I was much younger ,11 years old , when both of my hips were done for the first time in Ellis General Hospital in Schenectady NY. It was a very scarey thing for me . I remeber being so scared of the operation , I was put in traction for three weeks prior to the surgery and when the days before the surgery came I remember calling Mom and Dad ,telling to make sure the start out early to be able to make it there . they were 200 miles away . Sure enough the next morning Mom and Dad were there.I had my surgery and then began my rehibiltation at Sunnyview Rehbilitation Center there in Schenectady. I went to school classes there at the hospital.  My School back home Notre Dame was praying for my recovery and the Sisters had all of the classes write me a letter to cheer me up and support me. I still have all of those letters and cards today. My brother John had taken a job with the General Electric Plant there in Schenectady and he was able to come over to the Hospital to see me. Mom and Dad Traveled back and fourth and were there every weekend. all total I was there for three long months. Dad would have Mom pack a picnic lunch and they would take me in my wheel chair out to a park area on the hospital grounds. It made the time pass , all those letters of support , those visits ,and calls.
Its now 40 years later and one of the things that has not changed is the love and the support that I have recieved from family and friends. Dad may not be able to visit ne and take me ouut with my wheelchair for a picnic , but I felt his love and his presence watching over me every step of the way. Thanks Dad for being there.

 I  know that Dad has been busy looking down on his family , somehow guiding and helping us all through the obstacles that life puts in our paths.  Its nice to know that he's there and it gives  all of us a much needed sense of security to know that he's there with our Heavenly Father watching us each hour.  He has been watching over his granddaughter Julie and her family as they make it through each day with out there beloved Mark , husband and father, that was called to the Heavens much before anyone was prepared to see him go. He is there to watch over and help his Sister Margorie as she struggles with the transition she is going through in accepting and being at peace with her new srroundings. He watches as the news of his Grand-daughter Christine is to have a child nears.  He oversees the Joy and the happiness that a little Prince Liam has brought to his Grand-daughter Patty's Life. As he watches and sees Bob's son's, his Grandson's, grow to be youg men that are such great achievers in whatever they set there minds to do.  I know that he has surely been watching over his loving wife of 64 years as she recovers from a bout with a cold over the past few weeks. Dad has always watched over us all , even when he was with us ,I remember how he made certain that my brother Bobby had all the care he needed and the medical attention he needed to make sure he recovered from burns that he had sustained over a good percentage of both his legs. Mom and Dad were there for me as well as I was diagnosed with Perthies Disease and had to have hip surgery at a very young age.  There was nothing that I went without during the time of my recovery. I always looked forward to seeing Mom and Dad on the weekends as I did my reabilatation in schenectady NY which seemed like it was a million miles away from home back then.
Dad never wavered in his responsibilities to his family and he was always there for all of us , watching over us and making sure we were secure, both Mom and Dad made us feel that way.  I know that Dad will be watching over me ,over the next few months as I again will be going to the hospital to have a hip and knee replacement. I know that he will be there guiding me and watching over me as he has always done in the past. Thanks Dad for always being there for us alll.