My parents came to visit me before they left for Susanville where they would enjoy Thanksgiving with Maria's family. I remember how strange it was that they had bought a dog "Bandito". We always had dogs growing up, but this was a dog they bought for them in their older years, which seemed funny to me. Little did I know that my dad would have his final heart attack while on this trip to Susanville. I would never see him alive again. I often wonder how much inspiration when into the acquisition of Bandito just a few weeks before my dad passed away. Bandito became my mother's constant companion and good friend. While it was very sad to see my dad pass, it many ways he prepared us for this day. His own father died of a heart attack, as did his brother. My dad would tell us how he wanted to be buried in his "El Camino". Every time I went away to school I had a little thought in my head that I might not see my dad again. We knew that he had this genetics that might take his life early. The hardest part of his passing was that my sweet mother had to pick up the pieces from his business and organize all their financial affairs which eventually required her to sell their Rancho Bernardo house and move to northern california. It was a very stressful and anguishing time for my mother, but as is her character she handled it with the strength and grace of a strong woman doing what she had to do. Her home in Lake Almanor seemed to be a blessing from heaven where she is finally able to enjoy some retired years working on her projects and enjoying the nature and beauty of her surroundings.
