leatherman's log   May 2008 Week One |   Week Two |   Week Three |   Week Four |   Week Five

Week One: 5/1 am As the evening progressed last night, Sean and I discussed Jim's deteriorating condition. Although he wasn't in any pain because of the morphine, his breathing was more labored and he began to sound congested. I tried to stay awake through the night but dozed off about 5:15 am. At 5:30 my alarm, which I set for the next round of meds, went off and Jim was still with us. When the snooze rang again after a few minutes, I realized I could no longer hear him breathing. By the time I got over to him (about 5:55, in another moment of deja vu), I knew he was gone. I'm so very sad that Jim has gone; but so very glad that he's no longer in the pain that he has been suffering with these last three long terrible months. Rest in Peace, my love James Arthur Pollnow July 29, 1956 - May 1, 2008 5/1 pm The day started in the worst kind of way and rather than level out, the roller coaster continued on. After Jim left his home for the final time, I had one thing that HAD to been done. That hospital equipment had to go! By the time I returned from Randy's funeral arrangements, my house had been put right, and was my home again. I knew this time I would have to bear more of that task. Within a short amount of time, we had everything dismantled and in the garage, with the sofa back in the house (only in a slightly different arrangement to accommodate expected visitors throughout the day.) After waiting for a while, I called the medical supply place to verify that the hospice on-call nurse, who had attended Jim, had called in the pickup. I was told they would call me after 1 pm to set up the pickup time. But wait! There'll be more about that later. Then legal aid called (while I was on the phone about the pickup). The message left said my will would NOT stand up in court. They were making a new one and a "transfer at death" order and wanted to come over tomorrow at 11 to have the papers signed! Oh no! Jim won't be signing anything, and the will isn't good enough now?!? Oh, and the lawyer would be out this afternoon but would contact in the morning. My return voicemail explained that Jim had already passed away and what the heck was I supposed to do now? My mom and her husband took me to lunch (mmm. Old Carolina BBQ - and in Yankee land! It's a fav spot for Jim and I), and we discussed options. One unsavory option is that the state takes over Jim's estate, sells the house and pays the bills. Mom mentioned that in that case the state would also be responsible for the disposal of the body; but I have a big problem with that. (I explain more about this in just a moment; but leave it that we talked about all sorts of scenarios. Now here's more the supply pickup story I promised.) On returning home, I found a "we were here, you were out" note from the supply company. Nope they hadn't called to tell me that they would be there. They also didn't feel right taking it from the garage without permission. So now they won't be here until tomorrow morning - 24 hrs later. Argh! Now it's very late afternoon, and the rep from Heritage Cremation Society has not contacted me like the men had told me this morning before taking Jim. Unfortunately after this recent hospital experience, I've very leery of what is happening to Jim while I'm not there. I understand that they are required to wait 24 hours; but without a call, can I really be sure that things are still going as planned? Remember the food/pain med crack Jim slipped through. And that thought alone makes me take issue with mom's one scenario. I must pay for Jim, and must get his ashes back! If the state takes over, I'll bill the estate to reclaim those costs. However, if - I - don't insure that he is properly treated (once again), I'm afraid his remains might end up shoved away to the side somewhere, like how he was treated in the ER. There's no rest for the weary. I'm so tired but so unable to stop yet. However in the morning I must call and speak with medical supply, legal aid, and the crematorium. Perhaps enough of these issues can be resolved before the weekend (at least the equipment should be gone, and a little more security for me about what is happening to Jim now). Then I'll finally get a day to rest after all this time. 5/2 I think enough things are okay right now, that I really will finally get that "day off" tomorrow - and even Sunday too! First, that damned medical equipment is finally gone! I spent most of the day talking legalese. Legal Aid's problem with the will was that the witness signatures weren't dated. So I picked up the papers, ran by my OhioMom's house and added the date. Yesterday, my Mom and I had spent the afternoon gathering up all Jim's paperwork and sorting into appropriate folders. My Mom had come armed with a file box, folders, markers, etc. She was OfficeMax-armed and ready to do battle! Today, Mom further subdivided the paperwork and made lists of outstanding debts. It's actually quite difficult because we know so few answers about certain bills, car leases, etc. Since legal aid doesn't do probate, my mom in her infinite wisdom, had already arranged an appt. with a local lawyer. My sister-in-law helped out too, calling me this morning and discussing the advantages of filing a claim to be "administrator of an estate". The lawyer was more afraid of an outstanding creditor (like the bills that already total up to $90k+ from the hospital) claiming administrator privileges and selling the house to recoup the debt. His advice was to continue paying the house and utilities and let things ride for the time being, rather than stirring up the creditors looking for a piece by pushing for "ownership". Plus the mortgage equity loan for this house is actually $60 less than what I paid a month in my old dinky house. Theoretically, I could end up paying off the mortgage and THEN claim the deed on good faith and the will - and after many of the debtors will have written off Jim's accounts. However, I'm thinking that a move will probably be in my future - but that's a decision for another day. I made sure that the lawyer felt confident that I could at least live by the pool for one last summer before the you-know-what might start hitting the fan. My Mom and her husband headed out from here as evening came. Instead of heading back to SC, they're heading a little further north and west first. Mom's husband has a daughter (she lost her husband (46) to cancer just a little over a yr ago) who lives about an hr and a half from my place By early evening (ah, it's so much lighter later into the day now. It's good to not be in this damned dreary Ohio winter anymore), still no call from the Cremation Society, so I called. Now I feel better about that too. The rep had actually been quite busy on the case. The doctors sig on the death certificate had just come back late today. Things were lined up already to notify Social Security, etc. He was just waiting for it all to come together before coming out to see me on Monday. Having spoken a long time with the rep the other, I had found him to be a very compassionate man. He and his wife run the local office; but had previously been living in San Fran. Having lived though the early 90s there, he totally understand my situation and had dealt with it many times. I explained to him today about how afraid I was of Jim "falling through the cracks" and he seemed genuinely sorry to have caused me the extra worry. So with things going so-so, there's nothing I have to do this weekend; but have dinner with the OhioMom on Sunday and play some cards. I really need to mow; but thankfully, it's been raining too much and I can't mow. Those dandelions will just get to keep on growing for a while longer I guess. LOL Well, there's something else I'll be doing this weekend and that's being sad. Luckily, trying to handle all the paperwork of Jim's life has keep me busy. I haven't been able to dwell long on how I'm raiding all of his personal belongings - many of which are mementos of his parents who died at 45 and 56 leaving him alone around 18. I haven't been able to think about how there are closets of clothes I'll have to sort through. I've haven't been able to ponder the "guilt" feeling thinking about he could be watching my every bad habit now. But most of all, I've been busy enough to not dwell too long on how everything is different. No longer do I need to feel like I have the car out too long, or that I should be getting home to Jim. I walk through the house thinking everything is now "mine" - not "his", not "ours". Checking his email, as I was doing for him while he was in the hospital, I realized I wouldn't be updating him ever again on his email or snail mail letters. However, what I can't keep out of head with keeping busy, is that I no longer have my best friend to help me through all of this. I can't talk to him to get his opinion of what "we" should do. So many times during the day, I really needed Jim's advice and support on what to do - but my "other half" is gone, and I've become just "half" a person again. Right now, I'm hanging in there "okay". Thankfully our friend Sean is staying at the house with me through the weekend; but Sunday night, after dinner and cards my OhioMom has planned, he'll be heading back to his place and back to his own life. Then it'll just be me and the boyz (the spaniels) in our big ol' lonely house. God, how I miss Jim so much already. Next week is going to be rough.

Week Two: It's been a week since Jim passed away and I thought I should catch up you on a few of the loose ends. I guess I'm hanging in there okay. After my friends kept me occupied through the weekend, I started my "new" life alone, after returning home Sunday night from dinner with my OhioMom. I'm not crying as much anymore; but I never know when the tears might start back up (getting a sympathy card from the Hospice nurses, aide, and social worker started them again this morning). After a week though, quite frankly, I'm getting annoyed by being alone so much. It's kinda like I keep waiting for Jim to call or come in the door from a long day at work. To fill up my days, I've been working, slowly, on that Spring cleaning that I missed while at the hospital with Jim over the last two months. Since I'm holding an open-house on May 25th for friends, family, co-workers and neighbors, I'm trying to clean up as much as possible to make Jim's house presentable for his guests. Thanks to my Mom's help, all of the paperwork in the house has been sorted and filed away. The friend that stayed through the weekend, helped me clean out the storage areas upstairs. Taking breaks from the dusting, wall washing, and sorting through Jim's belongings, I've made a lot of progress on sorting through his family pictures. For the open-house, I am planning several displays of his childhood pictures, his parents photos, vacation photos, pictures of his passion - cars (pix of his viper and other cars, and even a few racing cars he has driven), and various awards he won being a car salesmen for most of his life. The only items I haven't had the heart to sort through yet are Jim's clothes. Having lost two partners now, I must say that dealing with the clothes is the hardest part. Just looking at a shirt brings to mind seeing Jim wearing it not that long ago. For now, I'm just piling all of the clothing scattered throughout the house into one closet. Maybe in a week or so, I'll be able to handle tackling that chore.   In sorting through Jim's stuff, I have come to realize just how lonely and alone he must have felt most of his life. His father died at 45 of a heart attack and his mother passed away at 56 from cancer - leaving Jim alone at 18 years old. His grandmother passed away a year or two later, leaving the only relative, a cousin, that he hadn't seen in the last 15 yrs. All of the photos and memorabilia from his parents and his childhood were all stored in the back of the attic and an unused closet downstairs. Obviously, he locked away all of his childhood and feelings. I getter understand the man I first met 20 yrs. ago - aloof, definitely in the closet, reserved but domineering. Looking back, I can see how I influenced him and how becoming part of my OhioFamily got him out of his shell, and brought joy, family, and companionship back to his life. Another thing I should mention about Jim actually helps me find some peace with the events of last week. During his last three days, his fever had returned. Though I have no "medical proof", I'm sure that meant that the tumors had NOT shrunk from the chemo, and were still actively sickening him. (the death certificate lists "pneumonia", "lymphoma" and "HIV+" as an "influencing factor") I'm certain that our decision to bring Jim home saved him from more suffering, pain, and mental anguish as he languished in the hospital another month before passing away anyway. Jim had me get the camera to get a picture of him finally out of the hospital and back home. Jim had many visitors during his 8 days back home. It seemed that very few hours, someone would stop by. Ritchie's new puppy Blitzkrieg was very gentle and Jim enjoyed cuddling up with her. Oh, and one last thing concerning Jim. I got a call from the hospital social worker the other day. It seems the hospital can apply retro-actively for a welfare medical card. That means the hospital bill and even most of the doctor bills can be covered (up to 90 days past) and not be out-standing debts against the house. That's good news towards helping me get the house sometime in the future. I had a visitor late Tues afternoon - the rep from the Cremation Society. When he had called earlier, I didn't actually get the chance (nor did I try to hard) to tell him that I did not have the full payment. However, he did kindly take the $400 I have collected so far. (I just finished up a job so I can get about $400 more to make another payment. Any more donations would still be greatly appreciated to finish paying this bill. Then I have to figure out how to pay this month's mortgage and all the month past-due utility bills. Yikes! The idea of getting the house in my name may just be a pipe dream if I can't keep up the payments.) The rep, who had brought along the death certificates because he thought he would be receiving full payment, very graciously (and without comment) left the certificates AND Jim's ashes with me and didn't hold them until full payment was made. Before the rep had even pulled out of the driveway, I broke down crying. He just didn't realize how much those ashes meant to me. I have finally seen Jim through it all and he's safe back home. Well, since I finally got the grass mowed (the neighbors have already mowed twice during the last few weeks, so I had to fight some really deep grass), so it's back to worrying about the bills, puttering about the house, sorting through stacks of things, scanning pictures, sorting through the digital pictures, cleaning, and being lonely.

Week Three: At the two week mark, I should be my usual self and be honest - I've been having a very hard time lately. I handled dealing with a lot of things pretty well. Cleaning out the clothes in the closets - which some people suggested I get around to doing sooner than later - wasn't as bad as I thought it would be; but taking Jim's digital pictures off "his" computer and realizing that they are now "my" pictures was pretty difficult. During the last few days, it's been sinking it more and more that Jim is really gone, and any ol' thing might just set off a crying jag. I had nearly forgotten, after the last fourteen years, how much I hate the way depression can take a hold of you. Of course my family and friends are keeping tabs on me and trying to do what they can; but no one can solve this, and I'm just going to have to ride it through. (oh god! I nearly quoted brokeback again. heaven help me, but Ennis del Mar was right! LOL) I've still been working hard sorting through things in the house. (It was NOT a mess beforehand. Really! I told you how I had cleaned up for Jim's return. Cleaning and Yard Work is what I live for. LOL It's just that Jim and I had only "partially" merged our belongings, so I'm having to sort through and clean up "his" stuff, "our" stuff, and now "my" stuff.) My OhioMom and Sean have been over three times now to assist with the chore. Not only is the house getting super-cleaned (for the open-house); but we've been cataloging all the stuff. OhioMom keeps the list; I handle display, lighting, and taking the pix (of course - I'm the queer and the only one of us three with an artistic flare. ROFL); and Sean packs things away. Next week I have to start researching the items, perhaps checking with coin and stamp dealers, and/or ebaying stuff off. I've got to do something or when the month past-due house payment and the two month old utility bills and car payments get a little more past due, it will make the question whether or not I can keep the house a moot point. One of the biggest problems to being poor is that you always need the "upcoming" monies right now. After I get something sold off, wait for a few more promised donations to come in, get the obit printed and get some more donations, and get a roomie (Sean) at the end of the month, things will hopefully get better. Unfortunately, this isn't the kind of stuff I can deal with on that "day-by-day" basis. If I do that, then me and the doggies just might end up homeless. This is the time of life when, to make things change for the better, it requires effort and patience - and right now I just can't wait and I'm still tired from all my expended efforts of the last three months. (being a "caregiver" is a very exhausting job when you're dealing with a very sick patient) It's been three weeks since I saw my doctor and yesterday was the return visit for the genotype test results. I don't know if it came from my recent "non-compliance" with my meds since the last time this test was done was 5 yrs ago or so, but my little hiv buggies have mutated again. (it's the k103 mutation this time) Once again I'm losing a med - and not one that makes me sick or is large. Argh! Last time I had to drop a med it was the smallest one I've ever taken! This time I'm losing two pills a day (viramune) which never caused me any problems. Dang it! It's quite possible the rest of the meds I'm on will work fine without this one. I'll be going back to the doc in a month (omigod! I've seen my doctor just waaaay too much this year! that also means blood work again in two weeks) and we'll see how these meds are doing. At least, there are some options out there for me if I need to change meds. It was very reassuring, in a way, to see that my doctor is quite worried about me. Since no obit has been printed yet, he didn't know that Jim had passed away. Since I had just seen the doc a few weeks ago when Jim was back home, I only had to update him on Jim's passing and the fallout in my life. (like how even taking acyclovir, the recent stress broke out the herpes infection in my hand - think of it as a 15-yr "re-occuring shingles outbreak localized in the middle digit and palm of the left hand" - and it is very painful this time.) The look on his face as I explained to him about my tenuous grasp on life (the house, car, money, cremation expenses, depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc) told me what he was thinking. He's afraid he's about to see me slide down like I did after losing Randy (he even mentioned that earlier in the appt), or as potentially one of those who go off meds because their shelter and/or home-life has gone to hell in a hand basket. (Trust me doc. I worry about the same things.) It's probably the reason he scheduled my next visit so soon. I have a feeling he'll be watching me like a hawk throughout the summer. None of that is a complaint though. Hopefully with my friends AND doctor looking out for me, I'll avoid further "deja vu" in my life and the aftermath will be better this time (no skyrocketing viral load and plummeting tcells like last time; ending up hospitalized twice in three yrs). Today the rep from the Cremation Society stopped by again and I gave him another 1/3 payment ($400 - leaving one more payment of $417). He told me that he had understood about my feelings about having Jim taken care of, and was glad to have already brought Jim's ashes over; he also said they normally didn't print the obit unless the bill was paid in full. However, he's going to go ahead and print the obit for me (now on Wednesday instead of Sunday to make the announcement closer to the day of the memorial and open house) since I've paid up so much already and he understands the position I'm in. That way, hopefully, some more donations will come through so that I don't sacrifice another house payment to pay off the cremation. Using my insomnia to the fullest, many of my chores are completed now. I've been able to start arranging photo albums, awards, etc around the house, and start planning on the refreshments for the open house coming up next weekend. Click for a larger version I even developed a couple of slideshows (his cats, the pictures he has taken, and my pictures of Jim from the last 10 yrs.) to run on the three computers throughout the house. I also have some videos to play that are pretty amusing - Jim racing his car at Nelson Ledges Raceway, Jim and I on the RipCord at Cedar Point, and a very old (and fuzzy)VHS tape of Jim AND Randy (both of my guys!!) indoor bungee jumping in the Cleveland IX Center. Part of me is dreading next Sunday; and part of me will be glad to have this phase over. I had started a eulogy for Jim on the night he came home from the hospital and finished it up over the last few nights. The memorial at Randy's gravesite is going to be quite sad as I leave behind another partner; but the open-house (with the displays and slideshows running) will be a "happier" occasion giving everyone (and me!) a chance to remember Jim as he was before he entered the hospital and to learn more about him and his life. Then, when it's all over, it'll just be me and the doggies again. :( I also need to include a very heart-felt "thank you" to a special friend from England. I first starting chatting with this lady, whom I met at the aidmeds.com site, because around the same time in May 14 yrs. ago as I lost Randy, she lost her partner Ian. Our grief of lost loved ones  brought us together and I have found her a delight to chat with ever since. Her birthday card to me (and a get-well card to Jim) was the first overseas mail I had ever received! Because of the similar experiences we had shared, and then me going through it again with Jim, my friend Emma offered to pay my yearly domain fee as a tribute to both Randy and Jim, so that I could continue blogging here for another year. Thank You Emma!

Week Four: Click for a larger version I had been told that the obituary for Jim would be printed on Wed. (May 21st); however it was actually printed in this last Sunday's paper (May 18th). I have planned a private memorial for Sunday May 25th for family, to be followed by an Open House at our home (directions below) from 5 - 8 pm. All of Jim's friends, neighbors and co-workers are invited to stop by, share memories, and view photos. Refreshments will be served. As many of you may know, Jim passed away with no health insurance, no life insurance and no money in the bank. In lieu of flowers, donations towards Jim's final arrangements are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much to those who have already contributed. For more information, please contact Michael at 330-284-811 or computertutor@reigningpages.com Online Guestbooks can be signed at either heritagecremation.com or cantonrep.com, under Obituaries, for James Pollnow. Directions to 1608 48th St. NW  Canton, OH 44709 (or contact Michael at 330-284-8111) Turn west off of Cleveland Ave onto 48th St NW (just a few blocks from Everhard Rd and North Canton, at "Dad's Car Wash" across from North Lawn Cemetery). Bear right at the fork in the road. Our light-gray sided home is the 11th one on the right (one house from the cross-street of Cloister; marked with an "A" on the map) After having delivered the announcement of Jim's obit and upcoming memorials, I hate to gripe; but I need to vent about another of the many small "bad" things that happened during this crisis (the snow storm, my eye all puffed up, the TV and stereo both on the fritz while Jim was home), and that just seem to keep on happening lately.   First, I am a little miffed that the obituary was printed on Sunday rather than Wednesday as I had been told. Since it had been several weeks since Jim passed, I have been trying to keep everyone informed as to when to look for the obit to be published. I had to make a special trip to the Canton Repository Newspaper so get a copy of Sunday's paper so I could even see if for myself. My second issue is that a very important part of the obituary was NOT included, so that the lines for Heritage Cremation and the newspaper could be added. My lines, that were cut, read "In lieu of flowers, gifts can be sent to help with final arrangement expenses to the Pollnow  residence (1608 48th St. NW Canton, OH 44709). For more information contact Michael Bivens at 330-284-8111". I hate to sound like I'm greedy; but that's the part that I really needed to have printed. Because of these issues, I've made a decision. As of the present, I have only collected $50 more in contributions. My plan had been to pay off the remaining debt myself out of my monthly SS check, if I didn't receive any more money, instead of making a payment towards the house. ($370 out of my $500 check wouldn't leave much to pay the house or any of the utilities that are 2-months behind) I had been hoping that the obituary notice would bring in enough donations; but now I cannot be assured that anyone else will donate. So, I have Jim's ashes, his death certificate, and the memorials will be held this Sunday. I will have done my service to Jim and it will be time to start truly thinking about myself and how I am going to get along. Instead of paying off the cremation bill (any donations will, of course, still be directed toward paying off that bill though), I need to keep the roof over my head (especially since the car is sure to be repossessed soon), and my money is going to the house payment. I have an appointment on Thurs. with welfare to get a retro-active (90 days) medical card for Jim. The hospital social worker helped set this up, so it should cover the hospital bill, and take that off the debt against the house. Hopefully, I'll be able to use the card to also pay off most (but probably not all) of the other medical debts Jim incurred (radiology and gastro tests and doctor bills, the cancer and kidney doctors, home health care, hospice, the 4 ambulance rides, etc). Afterwards, there will still probably be $40K out against the house; but if I do have to probate the house and sell it, I won't lose everything from the sale. The rest of this week is fairly busy for me. Along with the welfare appointment, I have the strange chore of planning a party for Sunday evening. I've always attended funerals and calling hours at a funeral home; but have never been to a wake. However, I find it appealing and believe Jim would have approved of having friends, family, neighbors and co-workers over to look through the pictures of his life, remember the good times we all had together, and grill out hotdogs on the patio by his  pool. However, I still feel apprehension about the memorial which we'll hold at Randy's grave early Sunday afternoon. As with Randy's funeral, I dread the finality of the events on the 25th. I've spent months taking care of Jim through so much, and years of gladly catering to my partner's wants and needs. It's not because I'm afraid to move on in my "new" life; but because I'm sad that I must finally leave Jim behind. In no disrespect to Jim's memory though, I somehow survived this before and lived to tell about it. I'm hoping and planning on surviving once again, and continuing to tell my story - thanks to a little help from my friends.

Week Five: May 25th, not a date I'll ever easily forgot as I said goodbye to a second partner. On one hand, I feel so very lucky to have been in such love twice in my life; but on the other hand, I feel "cheated" that I had such a short time with each of the men that I dearly loved. After weeks of cleaning and preparing, weeping and planning, I held a memorial service for Jim and then opened his house to friends and friends so that we could all share memories and stories of Jim in a celebration of his life. Though nothing ever goes off quite as planned, both events went well, with only minor hitches.   Randy's mom was unable to attend as she has been quite sick lately with a major back problem. On Friday, she underwent surgery that relieved her pain; but afterwards was unable to use her left leg to walk. Rather than waste any time, the surgeon scheduled another operation this morning to hopefully correct the problem. After she was out of surgery, her son Trent (Randy's brother) came to tell me how things were with his mom, and to attend the service as I paid homage to his brother and Jim. Riding out to the cemetery with me were Mary (left) and Sean (center). Mary had helped me care for Randy when he came back home at the end, and was there to help me again 14 yrs. later when Jim came home. However, Mary got quite sick and ended up going to the hospital after helping me the first two days. Sean gladly took her place and was a huge help during Jim's final week. (That's Randy's younger brother in the right side of the picture) While we waited for the others to arrive (late as usual), we cleaned off Randy's headstone, and unloaded balloons and flowers for the service. MouseOver this picture for a CloseUp of Randy's headstone. Unlike 14 years ago, the weather was sunny and very warm (upper 70s) instead of cool and partly cloudy. However, both days were quite breezy. Over the years, Jim and I have developed several styles of pictures that we take. The one that I call "pix2pix" are shots of Jim taking a picture of me taking a picture of Jim (or visa versa). The other I named "reflections", as they are reflections of us in windows, sunglasses, pools or any reflective surfaces. I couldn't resist taking a picture of myself reflected in one of the Mylar balloons just for old times sake. I'm not sure whether to call this photo "the grieving widower" or "leatherman becomes a funeral director".   Over a dozen friends and members of my OhioFamily arrived in several cars and a van for the service. Though the children had been too young, all the adults had been with me at this site 14 years ago, as we laid Randy to rest. None of them had been back to the site since that sad day, and several minutes were spent as they reminisced upon seeing Randy's headstone, with the carved cocker spaniel silhouette, for the first time. After greeting them all and thanking them for attending, I explained how we came to be at this grave site again. I told them how both Jim and I had thought about the future those first nights in the hospital, and how Jim wanted to have his ashes left with Randy. I described speaking with Randy's mom (my mom-in-law) and how we both believed that Randy would approve of my two partners sharing a final resting place. Then I gave a eulogy honoring both men and saying goodbye to my Jim.   the eulogy Fourteen years ago, many of you, my dearest friends and family, stood with me on this spot as we said a final goodbye to my beloved Randy. Leaving this grave and leaving Randy behind, after I had taken care of him through so much, was the hardest thing I ever had to do. On that day, my heart broke. Where once I had been a whole person being Randy's "other half", I departed here only half a person. For many years afterwards, I remained that "half a person" - depressed and sick. Throughout those years, you, my loved ones, stood by me and gave me the strength, courage, and hope to continue living. One person especially included me in all his activities, to give me back a semblance of being a whole person - that was Jim. No matter who he was dating, nor how much they were bothered by our friendship, Jim made sure I got out of my house, out of my depression, and helped me get back to life. Jim was my best friend for 20 yrs. He stood by me through losing Randy, having pneumonia twice, losing 7 of my cocker spaniels, and all the bad times I had with the meds. I know for many years, many of you already thought of Jim and I as a couple, as he practically lived at my house on 14th St, often leaving his cats lonely, while he stayed with me and the dogz. After losing Randy, I never imagined I'd be in love again, so it took a while for me to realize that that was what had happened. When I did realize I was in love again, it took me a little longer to make a commitment to that love. Not because I didn't care deeply for Jim; but because I was afraid that one day, he would be standing my grave, as heart-broken as I was standing here that day 14 years ago at Randy's graveside. But once again, you my dearest friends, gave me courage and hope. Many of you told me that regardless of whether Jim and I were "just friends" or "partners", he (as well as all of you) would be just as devastated by my passing. You told me that I shouldn't miss this opportunity to love and be loved by such a wonderful man. It took me four years; but on the trip that Jim and I took to NC to spend Christmas with my family (the year we made all those gingerbread houses), I finally told Jim how much I loved him and I wanted to only be with him - no matter what the end would be like. Officially, Dec 18, 2004, became our anniversary, and though we've really been together for 7 yrs, this past Christmas we celebrated our "third" anniversary. As you know, making that commitment, really turned my life around. Trying to forestall my visions of Jim's sadness at losing me, I began to stay compliant to my meds. Within a short amount of time, for the first time in 10 years of being on and off meds, I finally reached an undetectable viral load. Ever since I made that commitment to Jim and my meds, my counts (though they may have blipped here and there) have been holding stable. Being with Jim, and finally being healthier, allowed me to finally think and plan for a future longer than three months. Jim and I spent our years together enjoying every minute we could. Going to the amusement parks every summer - even as we got older; hiking through Nelson Ledges State Park together or with friends; taking our "moms" on mystery trips; surprising my mom for Christmas after telling her the "Amish buggy accident" story; having "jim and mikie's excellent adventures" to museums, movies, parks and zoos. However, never in the thoughts of my future with Jim, did I ever imagine the recent turn of events. Instead of Jim mourning the loss of me, as I feared would happen, I stand here today mourning my loss of Jim. The last three months of his life were something no one should have to endure. Being nearly starved to death (by accident) in the hospital before coming home that weekend; being left alone, in a dark corner of the ER for 8 hrs; being moved from room to room till he was literally driven mad; being told over and over to wait "just a few more days" for a turn-around, which never came. No one should have to endure such atrocities. Some of you may have thought he "gave up" too soon at the end; but I dare you to experience what he did and not lose all hope yourself. I am sure that Jim and I made the right decision in bringing him home when we did. By the end, he had pneumonia and the fever had returned, more than likely meaning that the chemo hadn't worked and the tumors were still growing. I am certain that coming home when he did saved him another month of hell in the hospital before passing away anyway. Now, fourteen years later, we gather here again to pay our respects to another honest, out-going, wonderful man whom I loved dearly. I tried my best to take care of Jim through so very much before he passed away; but there's nothing more I can do for him in this life after today's gatherings here and back at his house. After scattering his ashes here in a few minutes, I must leave him to Randy's care now. I'm not certain what happens after someone dies; but I know what I'd like to think. I think when Jim left this life, that along with Randy, Rekky, Nami, and Showie (Jim's cats) were there to greet him. I take comfort in also believing that Jim has finally been re-united with his parents, who passed away so many years ago leaving him alone and who he called out for during his last days at home. Today, my mended heart is broken again. Where once I had become a "whole" person again by being Jim's "other half", now I will leave this gravesite once again as only "half" a person. Goodbye Jim. I love you and will always miss you.   Following my eulogy, several people spoke of Jim - stories of his character, memorable events, and what he meant to each of the people. Afterwards, I scattered Jim's ashes across Randy's grave, and tearful goodbyes were said as the site was covered in dozens of red and white carnations. I must thank my Mom for the idea of the flowers and balloons. While it was sad tossing down our flowers, a sense of release was felt as we set the balloons, and Jim's spirit, free to drift on the winds.   As the balloons finally drifted out of sight, everyone began to head back to their vehicles for the drive back to Jim's house. I lingered behind and spent just a few more moments thinking about my two men, how much I loved them, and how much I miss them. I had practiced the eulogy several times and had been able to deliver it with only a few sniffles and "hitches" in my voice. However, as I turned and walked away leaving Jim behind, I couldn't contain the grief any longer, and the tears flowed hard and heavy. While on the drive over, I had been much more talkative with Mary and Sean who rode with me. I pointed out many of the sites I saw frequently, with both Jim or Randy, as we would drive over to see Randy's mom (about an hour away from Canton). However, things were much more solemn on the way home, as I tried to absorb having finally laid Jim to rest.   Back at my house (no longer "our" house), we quickly began preparations for the Open House. I had already set up displays throughout the house the day before, but we needed to prep the eating area (patio and kitchen) and the food. Although the pool has been uncovered and we were finally having Spring-time temps, the weather was still no where near enough for a pool party (and the water is cold and still quite green since I haven't gotten any chemicals yet). However, outside on the patio, I hosted one of Jim's famous cookouts just like he'd throw for a party.  In honor to Jim, the food consisted of many of things we normally served at one of the pool parties - grilled hot dogs, chips, dips, Jezebel sauce and crackers (something Jim had had me make for the nurses along with a batch of my muffins), sweet-n-sour meatballs (one of Mary's specialties), our OhioMom's grilled cheesy potatoes (always a favorite!), cupcakes (decorated with fancy sprinkles that Jim had bought our OhioMom over the last years), and my OhioSis' mandarin orange cake. [a quick side note: because of all that had been going on with Jim in the hospital and then back at home, my muffin starter dough had gone bad. Normally, you are supposed to cook a batch every 14 days. By the time I finally got around to even caring about baking muffins last week, the starter had gone over 25 days and was very icky. Thankfully, I was able to get another starter from the lady that first passed it along to me and in another week I should be baking in my new birthday  muffin pans again.]   The displays scattered throughout the house all became focal points for people to stop, look and talk about Jim. In the living room, after signing the Guest Registry, people were able to look through Jim's baby and childhood photos, along with several albums of pictures from the trips he took to Jamaica, Disney, Key West and Niagara Falls. Also displayed with items throughout his life including his bronzed baby shoes, and the afghan he was given in the hospital and brought home with him. Showcased on the mantle were various items - several stuffed and ceramic cats that Jim had received as gifts, a letter about Jim one of his long-time friends sent (she lives in Kentucky and was unable to attend in person, and sent her remembrances so that she could attend in spirit), the luminere that we were given by a friend from aidsmeds.com (the one we lit every night while Jim was in the hospital and at home), and the box that had contained his ashes.   On the hearth, I set up a display about Jim's parents. Having had Jim later in life (his mother was 35 when he was born), his parents, Arthur and Dorothy, doted on their only child - as can be seen by the numerous slides and photos taken documenting nearly every month of Jim's childhood for many, many years. Jim's father passed away in 1971 at the age of 45 from a heart attack; followed just 11 years later by Jim's mother passing away at 56 from cancer. Jim's only remaining grandparent (his maternal grandmother) passed away just 6 months later, leaving Jim alone without a family in his early twenties.   In the memorabilia scattered throughout the house, were the effects of not only his parents (love letters, poems, photos, pay stubs) but also of his grandparents (a medal from the World War, presidential letters from Truman, Kennedy and Nixon thanking his father and grandfather for their service in the military, diplomas from high school and college for his parents and grandparents, even an old army helmet and the burial flag of his grandfather)   Jim was a avid Star Trek fan and I displayed a whole room filled with Trek items. These collectibles range from a "captain's uniform" (especially made for Jim when he attended the 30th anniversary Trek convention and ended up with several interview clips in the movie "Trekkies"), to Star Trek cups and saucers, to autographed pictures, to computer games, to Trek suit ties, to well over 300 Trek books, even to Star Trek Christmas ornaments.   In our Computer Room, I exhibited the awards Jim won throughout the years selling cars. There are over half a dozen plaques and awards extolling Jim as "Salesman of the Month" or year. Along with a display of work shirts from the various dealerships in which he worked, I included autographed racing pictures, and mementoes of Jim's love affair with cars and planes.     On the TV and the computer monitors scattered throughout the house, I set slideshows running. Jim's computer displayed the pictures that he has taken over the last few years; my computer showed my favorite pictures of Jim; the living room computer displayed pictures of Jim's cats; and the DVD player cycled through, on the TV, several hundred pictures that I had taken of Jim's life. (from photos taken from a video I have of both Jim and Randy bungee cord jumping in 1991 to Jim sitting at his work desk this past January 2008) I was both sad and glad as I narrated through our "adventures" (which included many of the guests at our house) over the years. Mostly though I was glad to be able to share happy memories of Jim with the people who cared about him. Along with members of our OhioFamily, neighbors and old co-workers were also over to help celebrate Jim's life. I'm sure the 30 people that were in the house (and on the patio) at one time were the most people that had ever been in Jim's house at the same time!    All-in-all I think I did Jim proud. Several of our guests complimented me on the beautiful gravesite service and have decided that they would prefer similar arrangements at their passing rather than a regular funeral home service. I just know that I did the best I could with good advice from family and friends, limited resources, and a broken heart.

Updated: reigningpages.com 2008 leatherman @reigningpages.com