PooPoo

It's been awhile for me I know but I get emotional when I think about blogging because to me this is all about family and losing PooPoo means I'm missing a very, very special piece of my family. He lost his battle with pancreatic cancer after just 5 weeks...from what I'm told it is a really horrible, painful type of cancer so there is some peace from knowing he didn't have to suffer for a long period of time.

After he was diagnosed I booked a flight to Arizona. We picked the first weekend in December because Nick had previously scheduled vacation time so he'd be able to take care of the babies solo and other family members had already planned to visit Gpa through November. My flight didn't land until 11pm Dec 2nd....he died that morning before I got there. I about burst into tears every time I think that I didn't get to say goodbye - that I missed him just by a matter of hours - but I try to remind myself that it's better I never had to see him sick. I will always and forever have the wonderful memories from the last 28 years. I can think back to him wearing his denim shirt, standing over the griddle making me blueberry pancakes. And see him standing in his woodworking shop creating a beautiful piece of art while listening to Vince Gill on the radio. Or I can close my eyes and hear his roaring laughter as he tells joke after joke while we play blitz at his kitchen table. To me he will always be strong in mind and body. It's all I've ever known of him.

I still made the trip to Mesa, but at that point it was to be with MooMoo. I tried to be strong for her while I was there but I had a pretty rough time when we picked out the music for his services and when we wrote PooPoo's ad for the paper (yes - I know there is a title for it but that "o" word sounds so awful to me I refuse to use it).

Harold "Hal" Carter, 79, died peacefully December 2, 2011 with his loving wife, Carol, and brother, Robert, at his side. Hal was born January 6, 1932 in Pepperell, MA. Hal served our country in the US Navy ('50-'54) before making his home in Lohman, MO. He held positions with Union Electric, the St. Louis police force and Missouri Highway Patrol ('58-'62). Hal then worked for American Family Insurance until his retirement in 1997. After retirement he and Carol began spending winters in Mesa, AZ. Hal was preceded in death by his twin sister, Marion, and five brothers, Frederick, James, Francis, Joseph, and William. Hal is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol, and five sons, Bruce (Vickie) of Potosi, MO, David (Deborah) of Kankakee, IL, Robert (Katherine) of Florissant, MO, James (Pamela) of Washington, MO and William of Jefferson City, MO. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Matthew, Jessica, Jon, Adam, Jamie, Andrew, Jenna, Nicole, Justin, Serena and 9 great-grandchildren as well as brother, Robert Carter Sr., of East Douglass, MA, sister, Ruth Humphrey, of White Plains, KY, and adopted brothers, Alvin Lubker (Marva) of Jefferson City, MO and Roger Pierson of Jefferson City, MO and many nieces and nephews. Contributions in his memory may be made to Banner Hospice - Mesa, AZ where he received high-quality and loving care during his last days. A memorial service will be held in his honor January 6, 2012 on what was to be his 80th birthday at the Oasis Center in Mesa, AZ. Next spring a funeral mass will be held at St. Michael's Church in Russellville, MO followed by internment in Perryville, MO. Hal enjoyed woodworking, billiards, stained glass, collecting antiques, gardening and cooking. Raise your glass and always remember Hal for his work ethic, determination and wonderful sense of humor.









I love you PooPoo. You will be in my heart forever.