the burial

Last Friday we finally put my dad's ashes in the ground. He was buried at the Dallas-Ft Worth National Cemetary in Dallas at 3:00.

The director first took us to a covered are for the service. My dad served in the US Army so there was a military honors ceremony with the folding of the flag & presented it to my step-mom, followed by the playing of Taps. I was tearful but when I looked over & saw my 6-yr old Kalli crying then I really cried. She was much more affected by it all than my older two who were bored. My step-mom then played a couple of special songs, their song (which I'm blanking on the name right now) & the song my dad always wanted played "Colour My World" by Chicago. At the front was a display of my dad's army photo - he was so handsome!, his Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt & a nice bouquet of fall flowers. It was a very nice ceremony.

We were then taken to the burial plot where my step-mom placed his box of ashes wrapped in his Cowboys sweatshirt & the bouquet placed on top once it was filled in. My great uncle who is a priest said a lovely prayer. His plaque will be ready in about 4-6 weeks.

There was a good turnout of my dad's family & friends, some of which I had not met before (or maybe I just don't remember) so it was good to meet them. My kids even actually acted pretty decent which I was worried about.


So, on to subjects of less depth.....................
My house is a sick house!! So far Sophie, Theo, & I have gotten a nasty stomach virus, so you know the other 3 will not be far behind!

I worked 60 hours last week & survived - except for my depleted immune system so I can pick up every bug that comes near me, so not only am I emotionally spent, but physically also. Oh & my house is messier than usual which is REALLY bad so I will be accepting no visitors this week! HAHA!

the loving memory......

Memorial visitation for Stephen Murray Cooney, 58, Ft. Worth, is scheduled for 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, September 1, 2008 at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home, Tyler.
Inurnment will be at a later date in the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery.
Mr. Cooney died August 29, 2008 in Dallas.
He was born July 12, 1950 in Tyler to the late Charles T. Cooney and Bettye Doyle Turner. He was a route manager in the dairy industry and a Catholic.
He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Jeff Cooney.Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Lynne Carrington of Ft. Worth; son, Stephen Wayne Cooney of Whitehouse; daughter, Vicki Nackos and husband Theo of Whitehouse; sisters, Patty Emmons, Gail Hannah, Janice Phaup and husband Charles, all of Tyler; four grandchildren, Zoe, Tad, Kalli and Sophie Nackos; and sister-in-law, Kay Cook and husband Joe of Quitman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice.

the father, husband, veteran, grandfather - Stephen Murray Cooney

July 12, 1950 - August 29, 2008

My dad passed away yesterday at age 58. My step-mom Lynne was with him when he passed at the VA Hospital in Dallas.

One of his favorite songs was Colour My World by Chicago:

As time goes on
I realize
Just what you mean
To me
And now
Now that you're near
Promise your love
That Ive waited to share
And dreams
Of our moments together
Color my world with hope of loving you

I love you dad!

the prayer works!

Today after work Theo drove my brother & I to Dallas to visit my dad. I cannot believe the change in him since Monday! He was talking & recognized us and his breathing was so much better. His ammonia level came down from 6 times normal to just twice normal. The doctors said he may even get moved out of ICU tomorrow. I am just so amazed & grateful to God!

Thank you to everyone who kept him in their prayers. Praise the Lord!

the prayer request

My dad has been in the hospital since Saturday morning. I got a call from my step-mom that the doctor was suggesting all the family come to the hospital ASAP. I was @ work so I clocked out & hitched a ride to Dallas with my aunts to the VA Hospital.

My dad has multiple problems, the worst being cirrhosis which is causing his body to be unable to get rid of ammonia. By the time he arrived his ammonia was 6 times the normal amount which mostly affects his brain causing him to be very out of it & couldn't talk (just murmur a little) or look at any of us. He has developed an infection that they cannot isolate where so they are just treating him with antibiotics. He is having trouble breathing, he is working hard to breathe. He has been very sick before where the doctors thought he wouldn't make it, & he ended up doing well. So it's possible with his stubborness & fight that he will come out of this, but not probable.

The nurse told us that my dad didn't know what was going on or that we were there which is good because that means he's not suffering at all, but bad because I wanted him to know that I was there & hear me say that I love them. When I was saying good-bye to head back home, I told him I loved him & it sounded like he said it back. Realistically I know he probably didn't, but it makes me feel better to think we had this special moment.

I found out from his sisters last night during the drive that he has been smoking & drinking since he was 13 years old, he is 58 now. That is 45 years - can you imagine what that does to a body? It is amazing to me that he has lived as long as he has - he is quite a fighter!

My dad's name is Steve Cooney, if you could say a quick prayer for him it would be greatly appreciated!