Fifteen days ago we suffered a great loss, but our memories of Dad will always keep him close in our hearts.
On October 20, 1945, Zigmund married Irene Oyzenski, and our branch of the Fabirkiewicz Family began.
This was a gentle man who worked hard to support his family, for a time holding two jobs. He shared stories of proudly serving his country during World War II while stationed in Italy. He also was very proud of his Polish heritage and of his ever growing family. We will remember the years he spent supporting the De La Salle Dads’ Club, and how much he enjoyed fishing, golfing, and a good pinochle game or poker at family gatherings.
I will always remember a special time I spent with Dad this past June. It was a perfect summer afternoon as we sat on the porch, chatting. Mother was in the hospital at the time, and Dad was asking about her health. We moved on to a variety of topics. I mentioned that my own Dad had been gone for almost 17 years. Dad was surprised that so much time had gone by. He told me how much he had always liked my Dad, and that especially touched my heart. He went on to tell me about his youngest sister, who had past away in her early teens. They had been very close and had a lot of fun growing up together.
Although dementia left him with virtually no short term memory, he had very vivid long term memories. While he spent those few days with us in June, he always asked if he was any trouble to us, not wanting to put us out in any way.
It is so hard to lose a loved one, especially at this holiday season, but of course, that is our own sorrow. We should turn our thoughts to the wonderful joy Dad is experiencing this Christmastime in Heaven. There is a poem that has been around a few years now, that many of you may have already read, but for those that haven’t, I’d like to include it here. (This program won’t let me tab down one line at a time, so to save space, I’m going to type each verse as one line.)
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM HEAVEN
I still hear the song, I still see the lights, I still feel your love on cold wintery nights.
I still share your hopes and all of your cares. I’ll even remind you to please say your prayers.
I just want to tell you, you still make me proud. You stand head and shoulders above all the crowd.
Keep trying each moment to stay in His grace. I came here before you to help set your place.
You don’t have to be perfect all of the time. He forgives you the slip, if you continue the climb.
To my family and friends, please be thankful today. I’m still close beside you in a new special way.
I love you all dearly. Now don’t shed a tear. I’m spending my Christmas with Jesus this year.
December 15th, 2006
HOLY APARTMENT BATMAN
A few months ago I received a letter from the apartment complex stating that they had contracted out a company to update the plumbing system. Just before my last trip home I got another letter stating that my complex was next on the list to start. So before I headed home I had to move about half of my apartment out of harms way for the updates. Well I came home last night to find about 10 huge holes in the walls and ceilings thoughout the apartment. I do have to say with as much work as they did yesterday they left my apartment in very good shape and I was able to function without to much problem last night and this morning. Hopefully by the weekend it will all be complete.
FINDING A COLLEGE
Well I thought I had finally nailed down the college of choice (Reinhardt University) but once I signed up for some classes and started to look at the total cost of going there, Jodi and I have had second thoughts. So with that said it looks like this coming semester I will be taking a few classes online at Macomb. I have found another college that sounds really good and in fact was the first school that caught my eye when I started looking (Kennesaw State). They are the third largest school in Georgia and seem to have a really good business program. So I will be going there to see what steps to take next. The most important thing is they are a lot cheaper being a State college.
IT SURE DOESN’T FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS
The temparture today is suppose to be around 70 degrees and continue that way for the weekend and into early next week. That is the good side the bad side is Georgia doesn’t seem to have the same flavor of X-Mas spirit in the air. In my trips home over the past couple of weeks, there is a buzz in the air and you can feel the holidays are near. There is holiday music everywhere, lights and decorations as far as the eye can see and the weather to go along. So I am adding the lack of feeling like Christmas to my things that I miss about home. 
THE REASON I AM HERE
As for the job down here all seems to be going good. We are getting a lot of things taken care of and my team continues to work with me and accept the changes that are being made. I have had some issues with my boss in getting him to engage with me and help move things along so I have had to change my approach with him which seems to be working. I got invited to a luncheon yesterday that was put on by our sales team which was very nice. This branch seems to do a very good job and showing their apperication for it’s employees. I just hope that holds true when it comes time for pay raises.
JODI THE AWESOME MOM
As Jodi is left to handle Braylen all by herself she continues to do an AWESOME job. When I come home each time I can see that Braylen continues to learn new things including his manners. I’m amazed at the stuff that comes out of his mouth and when I ask Jodi about it, she always says that she has been working with him. This is such a critical time in Braylen’s life to learn values and start paving the way to being a great kid. I can say that Jodi is keeping him on track and I feel very confident that she will continue to do a wonderful job. THANKS SWEETIE YOU ARE TRULY A GREAT MOM.
December 15th, 2006