Fishing in the Mourning

My Uncle Patrick Doyle, passed away last Wednesday. He was diagnosed with MS in 1983, and I can't ever remember him not at least needing crutches to walk. His long battle is now over, but it is sad seeing the Mighty Doyle Clan now down to 6 remaining. Friday was the first day of visitation, but we had so much going on that day that I didn't go up until Saturday. So I mourned his passing on Friday watching Olivia fish. This was her 2nd time fishing. I regretfully have no photos from her first experience since she went with just daddy and mommy was not there with the camera. (Just so everyone knows she caught 7 fish the first time out and her daddy only caught 1!) Andy's best friend Stevie was up from Florida for the weekend so we went to his parents house to enjoy some time on their lake and a nice visit with his family. Olivia only caught one on this day before she decided she'd had enough and it was time to swim.

After the cast

Reeling it in

Oh boy

Look at my catch!

Later that day my Aunt Julie, Uncle Pat Dewell, and cousin Jennifer came down for a visit. It was great to see them and in Sturgis for a change. They hadn't been down here since my wedding. I got up before bright and early the next morning 4:00 AM to go pick up my sister and baby James for the funeral. We met my dad in Marshall and left my car there and the four of us headed up together. We arrived at the church in time for a short visitation before the funeral started. It was great to meet my cousin, Christopher Johnson for the first time. My Uncle Patrick was a bit of a ladies man in his day and was dating a woman named Ilene from Scotland while stationed there in the Navy. He never married her, but they had a son together that unfortunately my uncle didn't stick around to be a part of his life. Christopher and his family live in Virginia and he went to Alpena about 12 years ago to meet my uncle and other family members. They have kept in correspondence to some extent. I am so glad to have gotten the chance to meet him. He seems like a wonderful man and fits right in the family. I think the funeral was especially hard on him because he has to be grieving so many more things than just the loss of his father. My thoughts and prayers are with him at this time. We also learned while at the church that my Uncle Duane who passed away in January's mother died as well. On the way home we stopped in Lincoln to attend her visitation briefly. She was always so energetic and full of life all 95 years she was with us. She led a wonderful life. We made it home safely later that evening and are hoping to not have to go up to Alpena for any reason other than a joyous one for the rest of 2008.