Picture of Susan, Nancy and Erwin at Mommy's grave (Jan. 2008); Susan and Nancy with Erwin at Kingsway (Sept 2009), Cori and Andy family with Erwin - May 2009, Erwin in his clown costume 2008.
Most of you who are following our lives already know that my dad Erwin Vogel died on Wednesday, Oct. 21st at the nursing home near my sister Nancy in Schenectady, NY. My siblings - Nancy, Alan, Richard and I met in Maryland and buried him yesterday. It was a somber time for all of us but also a nice chance for us to reminisce and talk about our dad. We have been dealing with his illness for over a year and all are grateful for his quick passage to the next world. He was buried, at his wish, with a silver 1921 dollar (the year he was born) to cross the river Stykes.
These are words from Wikipedia (I guess we did not know the tongue part!):
In ancient times some believed that putting a gold coin under the tongue upon death, would help pay the toll for the ferry to help cross the Styx river which would lead you to the entrance to the underworld. If some could not pay the fee they were said to haunt those who did not put the coin under their departed bodies tongue.
Here are the haikus that I wrote for yesterday.
Mi Padre, my dad -
adios from Mexico,
I’ll surely miss you
Remembering you,
the family patriarch;
funny, odd and kind
Reading day and night,
shared your knowledge with others
then always learning more.
Pipe and tobacco,
daily glasses of whiskey;
Kat food, favorite snack (Kit Kats!)
Us, scavenger hunts;
lollipop tree for grandkids
they paint your toenails
Had your quirky ways
Schlaraffia, brotherhood
fun for you and them
Your identities:
The clown club at Asbury;
Benjamin Franklin
Adaptability -
Get used to new things -
We can count on you
You – Independent
till the last months of your life,
we’re glad we helped you
A cute little boy
the last year at Asbury -
how I think of you
We say goodbye now
your children are together -
send you on your way.
Here with Mommy too
thanks for all you gave to us
May you rest in Peace.
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