Fess Parker's Memorial Service....and a few other things

chenheart
chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just got home from the most moving memorial service for "Davey Crockett." There were HUNDREDS in attendance, at one of Fess' larger hotels in Santa Barbara,outside in the rotunda overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean on an equally gorgeous, sun-filled day. The odd thing was, aside from water, WINE was served before, and during the service! As a wine maker, Fess wanted all who wanted to to be able to enjoy the fruit of the grapes from his own winery as a gift to us. As a matter of fact, at the close of the service, we were asked to join the family in a toast, and, with music playing in the background, sing the Theme To Davey Crockett!!!

There were sweet eulogies given and I will not explain to anyone who these people were...if you are of a "certain age", you already know! I saw Ron Ely, who was one of Fess's closest friends and who, with silver hair still looks in shape and beautiful, Rona Barrett, Cheryl Ladd, Ed Ames, Robert Loggia. There were many, many more stars of today and yesterday, but these were the ones I saw sitting in the rows in front of me. The only one whos name you might not know, ( I didn't either)was Darby Hinton. But I recognzed his face, even 40+ years later...he played Israel Boone on the Daniel Boon show! He told the sweetest story of how, as a young child, while his mom was parking the car and rushing him to an audition to play one of the Von Trapp kids in The Sound Of Music, complete with LederHosen and knowing all of the words to Edelweiss, he went to the wrong room and ended up at the audition for Daniel Boone! LOL He got the job! LOL

Fess' son Eli gave a moving and beautiful tribute to his father~and said something I thought was so important. That his father was not just blessed, but that he KNEW he was blessed and lived his life accordingly.

His children ended the 90 minute service with a poem many of us learned "back in the day"...and they said theirr father made them memorize it when they were kids, and that it absolutely eptomizes their father. Remember the poem Desiderata? If not, I suggest you google it~ it would be a fine set of life rules for all of us.


And...though he is in pain, Reggie's surgery went well~ he is on the mend! My appoint was 99% great~ my tumor markers have inexplicably shot up, so I have to have labs drawn in 3 instead of 6 months....such is life doing battle with The Beast. Sigh.


I apologize for missing anyones test results, good or bad, birthdays, announcements, milestones, opportunities to welcome new ones to the fold and to connect with the Kindred Spirits here~ it has just been a busy week!

You are never more than a thought away...I am just not always online to let you know!

Hugs,
Chen♥



PS I am also too tired to go back and edit my typos...I trust you will wade your way through them! Thanks!
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Comments

  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #2
    Chen, you live such a
    Chen, you live such a fascinating life...I want to come to California and be your new best friend!I've met Dolly Parton a few times here in the Smoky Mountains...:)
    Keep us posted on your doings....always so interesting...
    Dee
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #3
    dyaneb123 said:

    Chen, you live such a
    Chen, you live such a fascinating life...I want to come to California and be your new best friend!I've met Dolly Parton a few times here in the Smoky Mountains...:)
    Keep us posted on your doings....always so interesting...
    Dee

    Chen, thanks for sharing the
    Chen, thanks for sharing the memorial with us, its almost like being there. Would have loved to raise a glass of wine and sing "Davy Crockett" with you. Glad Reggie's ordeal is over with and hope everything goes well for him. Hang in there but don't let the beast come back and take anymore of your life. When you have your next tests keep us posted. Hoping and praying for better results in 3 months.
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #4
    Sunrae said:

    Chen, thanks for sharing the
    Chen, thanks for sharing the memorial with us, its almost like being there. Would have loved to raise a glass of wine and sing "Davy Crockett" with you. Glad Reggie's ordeal is over with and hope everything goes well for him. Hang in there but don't let the beast come back and take anymore of your life. When you have your next tests keep us posted. Hoping and praying for better results in 3 months.

    my favorite part of the poem:
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
    it is still a beautiful world.

    Thanks for sharing that story with us. You made us feel like we were there.
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #5
    Mama G said:

    my favorite part of the poem:
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
    it is still a beautiful world.

    Thanks for sharing that story with us. You made us feel like we were there.

    It sounds like a lovely
    It sounds like a lovely tribute to a good man. I looked up the poem and I loved it. My favorite lines are the same as MaMaG because for me Hope springs eternal.
    Chen, you have a way of describing things that makes me feel I am right there. It is a wonderful gift.
    Hope Reggie continues to mend. Also that your tests in 3 months show nothing remarkable.
    Stef
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #6
    fauxma said:

    It sounds like a lovely
    It sounds like a lovely tribute to a good man. I looked up the poem and I loved it. My favorite lines are the same as MaMaG because for me Hope springs eternal.
    Chen, you have a way of describing things that makes me feel I am right there. It is a wonderful gift.
    Hope Reggie continues to mend. Also that your tests in 3 months show nothing remarkable.
    Stef

    You have such an exciting
    You have such an exciting life. I love reading your posts. Glad to hear Reggie is doing well. I know your going to be okay. Keep making us smile.
    Kathy
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #7
    Kat11 said:

    You have such an exciting
    You have such an exciting life. I love reading your posts. Glad to hear Reggie is doing well. I know your going to be okay. Keep making us smile.
    Kathy

    :) I will do my best to keep
    :) I will do my best to keep us all ( including myself) smiling! Sometimes its all we can do, isn't it??

    ♥
  • LadyParvati
    LadyParvati Member Posts: 328
    #8
    chenheart said:

    :) I will do my best to keep
    :) I will do my best to keep us all ( including myself) smiling! Sometimes its all we can do, isn't it??

    ♥

    You always do!
    And we love you for it.

    I am glad the memorial service was so moving and that your DH's surgery went well.

    I will keep you in my prayers as you move through the next three months and get new testing done--praying hard for GOOD results!

    Sandy
  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #9
    chenheart said:

    :) I will do my best to keep
    :) I will do my best to keep us all ( including myself) smiling! Sometimes its all we can do, isn't it??

    ♥

    You Have the Most FUN of anybody Here
    You have the most FUN of anybody here. I love hearing about all of your adventures.

    Hope your hubby is doing better.

    Hugs

    Donna
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #10
    Chen you are a dear heart.
    Chen you are a dear heart. Thank you for sharing all those interesting tidbits from Mr. Parker's memorial service. I've always loved the Desiderata. Havent read it in quite some time, but will certainly read it again today.

    My prayers are with you and Reggie. I'm praying your 3 month labs are 100% great. Reggie is on the mend and his well oiled knee will be good as new in no time.

    Hugs to you special lady.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #11
    natly15 said:

    Chen you are a dear heart.
    Chen you are a dear heart. Thank you for sharing all those interesting tidbits from Mr. Parker's memorial service. I've always loved the Desiderata. Havent read it in quite some time, but will certainly read it again today.

    My prayers are with you and Reggie. I'm praying your 3 month labs are 100% great. Reggie is on the mend and his well oiled knee will be good as new in no time.

    Hugs to you special lady.

    It has already been stated,
    It has already been stated, I felt like I was there. I am sure those tumor markers fluctuate. Tell Reggie to keep on top of the pain meds and do what the doctor says. and hope he is well very quickly. hugs you are a blessing
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #12
    Claudia, thanks for sharing
    Claudia, thanks for sharing the memorial service with us. I, like everyone else, felt like I was in attendance. I actually was in spirit as he was a big part of my life growing up. Hope Reggie is feeling better today and back to normal in no time. Have a wonderful week.
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #13
    Thank you for sharing
    Dear Chen, Thanks for sharing your vividly, descriptive experience of the memorial service with us. I feel as though I was there, at least in spirit. Hope Reggie is recovering and feeling less pain.Hang in there and keep up the fight.
    K
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #14
    Chen,
    Thanks for the description of that beautiful memorial service. I feel like I was there through your words. I'm glad that Reggie is recovering well and know you will take great care of him. As for the tumor markers, well you know that they are notoriously unreliable. They can shoot up for many, many benign reasons. This is what I am betting on for you. It will all be OK. I hope this weekend (Yes, I am already thinking weekend) finds you both relaxing, recovering, and enjoying each other and the gorgeous weather.

    Mimi
  • Different Ballgame
    Different Ballgame Member Posts: 868
    #15
    Keep A Careful Watch
    Chen,

    I know I don't have to tell you, but keep a careful watch for the next 3 months. Have the eyes of an eagle and the sonic vibrations of a bat.

    Did you see my posting regarding Reggie's surgery? I told you how well my knee and leg reacted to the memory pillow that relieves pressure when the leg and knee rests on the pillow. It was like, "I went to heaven." Check out a Brookstone store, if one is in your area.

    To have hundreds at Fess Parker's memorial is a testimonial of what a marvelous person he was. Those who attended had to bring great comfort to his family. The memorial will also be a wonderful memory for them in their time of sorrow.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #16
    You have been on my mind
    Chen I was just thinking about you and wondering how things were going I have had you on my mind of late. I was out of town when you posted this so it looks like I missed it for a bit. Colin and I went to Pyramid Lake in Nevada which is on an Indian reservation and I thought of you pretty much the whole time. I posted a picture in the expressions gallery.

    The Farewell to Fess Parker sounds lovely, he was a good man I am glad you were able to attend. Its good to know Reggie's surgery went well I hope he heals well and fast.

    I just had a complete blood panel done on me today along with tumor markers so it will be a few days before I have results, always fun isn't it. I hope your markers go back down soon.

    Hugs to you my friend,

    RE
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #17
    Dear Chen
    Thanks so much for updating us in such a lovely way on Fess Parker's services (it made me almost feel I was there), on Reggie's recuperation(how could it be anything other than stellar with you there caring for hims), and on your own test results (hoping for better, but it could be worse, too).

    I will continue to send positive energy your way to get those markers back down where they should be, and to keep Reggie's recovery moving swiftly.

    Hugs,
    Cindy
  • Flakey_Flake
    Flakey_Flake Member Posts: 130
    #18
    Thanks Chen!
    Thanks for allowing me to share in Fess Parker's Memorial through your beautiful words. Sorry to hear your markers were elevated, and hopefully it will turn out to nothing worth worrying over. You and Reggie wil be in my prayers.
    Sharon
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #19
    Flakey_Flake said:

    Thanks Chen!
    Thanks for allowing me to share in Fess Parker's Memorial through your beautiful words. Sorry to hear your markers were elevated, and hopefully it will turn out to nothing worth worrying over. You and Reggie wil be in my prayers.
    Sharon

    Thanks, everyone for your
    Thanks, everyone for your well-wishes for Reggie~ he is mending right on schedule! My markers? Well, I don't suppose there is much I can do to decrease or elevate them; they will simply be what they are, and of course I hope they decrease by my next Drs visit.

    I meant to share with you all something that Fess Parker's daughter Ashley said about her dad at the Memorial. As she and her brother Eli had us lift a glass to Fess, she said:

    "My Dad was much like a glass of fine Syrah, he was imposing and impressive, yet approachable and friendly."

    I smiled at that, it is a nice way to describe someone, don't you think? Strength and kindness at the same time. Fine qualities, indeed.

    Hugs,
    Chen
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #20
    chenheart said:

    Thanks, everyone for your
    Thanks, everyone for your well-wishes for Reggie~ he is mending right on schedule! My markers? Well, I don't suppose there is much I can do to decrease or elevate them; they will simply be what they are, and of course I hope they decrease by my next Drs visit.

    I meant to share with you all something that Fess Parker's daughter Ashley said about her dad at the Memorial. As she and her brother Eli had us lift a glass to Fess, she said:

    "My Dad was much like a glass of fine Syrah, he was imposing and impressive, yet approachable and friendly."

    I smiled at that, it is a nice way to describe someone, don't you think? Strength and kindness at the same time. Fine qualities, indeed.

    Hugs,
    Chen

    Giving Thanks to YOU, Chen, and RE
    With all that has been going on with Reggie's surgery and recovery and your checkup, it was good of you to take the time--and energy--to recall Fess Parker's memorial for us. I almost feel as if I were there. What a good man he was.

    You and RE will remain in our prayers. We can all celebrate when your tests come back fine. Just a lot more roses to stop and smell along the way.

    Thanks, again, Chen. You remain our 50-Foot Woman.
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #21
    Dear Kindred Spirit,
    As I recogized all the names, yes, even Darby Hinton's, I could visualize the service. Thank you for sharing, so eloquently, I might add.

    Sue

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