Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[Sea Dog]

9 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

I had an eye doc appointment today and both eyes look gorgeous. 

 

Congratulations on being able to see better!

 

 

7 hours ago, HBE4 said:

It’s been a whirlwind 3 weeks and just now being able to catch my breath. I’m here & I’m okay-ish.

 

 

My heart breaks for you. What an emotional story that had me in tears. I can't imagine the pain you were in. You were incredible in your love, devotion and support of her. She is in a better place now and will forever be imprinted in your heart. Her spirit lives on. Rest in Peace.

[Sea Dog]

@HBE4 I loved seeing the pictures of you and the family. It helps me connect a name and face. What a beautiful person I can tell she is. Thank you for sharing your story with us. We will continue to love and support you as you go through the ups and downs of the grieving process. We are family and we are here for you.

[helen haywood]

@HBE4 I had a feeling several weeks ago that your absence here might be due to circumstances with your wife.  It has always been clear how much you loved her and what a caring husband and stepfather you are.  I had already been praying for you and your family before today and I will continue to do so.  Please accept my sincere condolences and I hope you continue to feel that sense of serenity as you move forward.

[NHProud]

@HBE4 My condolences on the passing of your lovely wife.   Your post brought tears to my eyes . May she Rest In Peace.  Hugs for you and your daughter. 

[dani negreanu]

7 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Rest In Peace, Mrs HBE4.

 

  Side note: Should I ever purposely decide to stop posting here, I will definitely post a farewell message.

 

Thank you, it will be much appreciated.

 

32 minutes ago, jmh2006 said:

@HBE4I am so very sorry and hope your wonderful memories will wrap you up with comfort and peace.  Thank you for sharing your journey with this CC family and lean on us anytime you feel the need to!❤️

 

23 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

@HBE4 I loved seeing the pictures of you and the family. It helps me connect a name and face. What a beautiful person I can tell she is. Thank you for sharing your story with us. We will continue to love and support you as you go through the ups and downs of the grieving process. We are family and we are here for you.

 

16 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

@HBE4 I had a feeling several weeks ago that your absence here might be due to circumstances with your wife.  It has always been clear how much you loved her and what a caring husband and stepfather you are.  I had already been praying for you and your family before today and I will continue to do so.  Please accept my sincere condolences and I hope you continue to feel that sense of serenity as you move forward.

 

@HBE4,  I'm always at loss of words... not only in English, also in Hebrew. I think it stems from having a mother tongue, which I no longer use and quite forgot, and then learning a brand new and difficult language....

 

So please forgive me if I've chosen to multi-quote, among the many beautiful and moving posts above, the ones which I wish I could write myself.

 

RIP, Mrs. HBE4.

[BonTexasNY]

@HBE4 Oh, my Rockland County friend.  Thank you for sharing your heart with us. The tears flowed reading your poignant post.  May your beloved wife Rest in Peace with the angels.  Your family pictures are more beautiful than I can say.  Be strong and know you have a wonderful support group on this thread.

Condolences to your daughter as well.

 

[DaniDanielle]

@HBE4My heart breaks for you and your daughter.  Such a sad journey and you did your best to care for her.  The love shows in the photos and you and your daughter have all the wonderful memories.  I have prayed for you every day and will continue to do so.  We are all here if you need us, I know this group was a great comfort for my family.

[grapau27]

Good afternoon.

I had to pop out to see some long time customers so Pauline came with me and we had a lovely lunch.

[Sunshine3601]

Just had a funnel cake from snack shack.  They are sooo good.   This morning we are at chill island and may move over to Oasis pool if not too crowded.

 

Edited December 8, 2022 by Sunshine3601

[grapau27]

[Tree_skier]

8 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Rest In Peace, Mrs HBE4.

 

Thank you all here for your concern and good wishes. I know I’ve been tagged in several posts which many people in turned acknowledged via the “like” button or by replying to said post. I read the discussion about respecting a person’s privacy vs finding out what happens to a poster when they suddenly no longer post. Speaking only for myself, it is heart-warming to know that my absence was noticed and felt and people I’ve never met were concerned for my well-being. So again, thank you, It’s been a whirlwind 3 weeks and just now being able to catch my breath. I’m here & I’m okay-ish.

 

  Side note: Should I ever purposely decide to stop posting here, I will definitely post a farewell message.

 

@Tree_skier @grapau27 @Coralc @dani negreanu @reallyitsmema @Sunshine3601 @lenquixote66

I'm so very sorry for your loss my friend and that I'm thankful for the peace that you were able to experience in spite of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are truly with you.  I hope that there is a day that comes where we can meet in person. Thank you for sharing your story.  

 

Best wishes,

Dave and Sharron.

[xpcdoojk]

I just started a not A LIVE thread for our Harmony cruise.  Back to the regular conversation.  

 

@HBE4, really sorry to read this.  Life is precious as are our memories.

 

jc

[Tree_skier]

8 hours ago, HBE4 said:

On a happier, more upbeat note - as this is a cruising forum - I’d figured I’d share that our last cruise was 4 years ago, Nov 2018. It was to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Once married, I not only gained a wife but a daughter as well, in what I call a “2-for-the-price-of-1” package deal.  It only made sense to include my step-daughter on the cruise as well.  As she was living in Houston, TX at the time, we decided to sail out of Galveston on Liberty of the Seas.  Which brought us full circle as Liberty was our first ever cruise ship back in 2009 in which we fell in love with cruising. After the 2nd day of that first cruise, we looked at each other and asked: "Why have we not been doing this our entire lives?" What the heck, here are a few pictures from the 2018 cruise.

 

Me and the Mrs.

 

 

 

My wife and her daughter. It was her daughters first time ever cruising and sadly, the only time she’d cruise with her mom.  So excited we were to share our cruising experiences with her, to see it thru her eyes, it was like we were on our first cruise all over again.  All three of us refer to it as the best vacation we’ve ever had, of any vacations with anybody our entire lives.

 

 

 

Me and Little Miss HBE4.  She was 4 years old when I first started dating her mom, 11 when I married her mom and since then, has always referred to me as her “real dad” vs her “biological dad” that drifted in and out of her life. All these years later, she is not the least bit ashamed, and dare I say, actually enjoys hanging with dear old step-dad.  

 

 

 

This picture is nicknamed “Pompous HBE4” as I proudly show off the 2 lovely ladies in my life. Blessed am I.

 

 

This last picture would sum us up as who we are as a famliy. My wife had a zest for life, always the glass-is-half-full, “Life Is Good” attitude. I fully intend to live life as she would want me to. Cheers to all the kind folks on this thread!

 

 

 

 

 

Great photos...  I remember it was on my first live review that I did in October of 2018 that we first interacted here on Cruise Critic. If I remember correctly, you were planning on boarding as we were getting off.  

[Luckynana]

@HBE4 I am so very sorry for your loss of your beautiful Mrs. HBE4.  I can't even imagine the long journey that you and your daughter travailed for the past year and a half.  What a beautiful and loving family.  Thank you for sharing your wife, your daughter, and your life with us.  I hope you find comfort in knowing that Mrs. HBE4 is now at peace.  She is and always will be with you in your heart and soul.  ❤️

 

Maryann and Jim

[DaniDanielle]

Debbie, don’t have the chicken sandwich!!!!!!

[Jimbo]

We went all out at our house this year for Christmas Decorations. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well not exactly our house but this is the Christmas Shop in Southport, NC. 😉🤣

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2022 by Jimbo

[Sea Dog]

Getting a little nervous for my big debut tomorrow as Santa for the videotaping of my television station's annual reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" played back on Christmas eve and read to station employee's children by long time retired anchor Larry Moore. I got the suit and some extra padding since I lost weight. The wig and beard are kinda weird, I hope they don't itch me to death. Don't worry Linda will come along to take some photos that I will post. I just hope I can get a deep enough Ho ho ho.

[helen haywood]

44 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Well not exactly our house but this is the Christmas Shop in Southport, NC

Thank goodness!  For a moment I doubted your sanity.

[LucasLikesToCruise]

11 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Rest In Peace, Mrs HBE4.

 

Last month, about a week before Thanksgiving, my wife joined the angels in heaven. It’s been a long 19-month journey that I’ve mentioned in the past, I know some here remember the story, others might have missed it and perhaps a few more might not remember all the details.  As I find talking and writing about it to be therapeutic, I’m going to summarize it. For those that are not into that kind of thing, now might be a good time to hit the Page Down button a few times. No hard feelings, I promise.  

 

Easter Sunday Morning, 2021, I was awakened by my wife to call 911 as she could not breathe. I did and the operator had me perform CPR while awaiting the paramedics. Medically speaking, I’m pretty sure my wife died in my arms that morning as when the paramedics arrived, she was not breathing and they could not find a pulse. Through their heroic efforts, they were able to revive her but too much time had passed. My wife suffered a irreversible Anoxic Brain Injury (oxygen deprivation to the brain cells) due to a massive blood clot in her lungs that also caused a heart attack. She was left in an “unaware and unresponsive state”, basically one step above a coma and a nice way of saying a vegetative state.  My fingers still cringe when typing that.

 

The injury to her brain would be permanent. I consulted at least a half-a-dozen neurologists and brain injury specialists from a half-a-dozen different hospitals and brain injury rehabilitation centers but the conclusion was always the same. There was no pathway to a “meaningful recovery”.  Oh, there would be a glimpse of a sliver of hope once in a while.  While 90% of the time her eyes would be closed, when they opened, sometimes there would be a flicker of recognition, of life behind those eyes. Most of the time, a blank stare at the ceiling. Still, I visited 5-6 days a week, 1-3 hours at time, talking, reading, playing music or just holding her hand while watching our favorite TV shows.   I’m not sure there was ever a “conscience awareness” but maybe an emotional one. When whispering sweet nothings in her ear, tears would flow from her eyes. The last time this happened was this past Sept when I told my wife that her daughter was going to take me out to NYC for my birthday, for dinner and a Broadway play and drinks afterwards. I’m sure that warmed her heart and the tears of happiness flowed that night.  That as the last time I saw any kind of response.

 

With recovery no longer a consideration, thoughts turned to comfort care and dignity which quickly turned to thoughts of how to end this. (Tangent: in New York State, not many options).  On Nov. 6^th, on what was our 29^th wedding anniversary, I told her she was free to join her parents and older sister in heaven. Less than 2 weeks later, she took the worse, most heart-breaking choice a spouse could make out of my hands and slipped away, on her own terms and time line. The best gift she could have possibly given me.

 

I was out of town when it happened and was beside myself when I got the call. But the next day, an amazing sense of calm and serenity came over me. I can’t call it relief but just sense of peacefulness.  The outpouring of support I received from close friends and family, as well as people I’ve barely spoken to in 20+ years and those that I hardly know, is a true testament to her and her life.

 

Thank you all here for your concern and good wishes. I know I’ve been tagged in several posts which many people in turned acknowledged via the “like” button or by replying to said post. I read the discussion about respecting a person’s privacy vs finding out what happens to a poster when they suddenly no longer post. Speaking only for myself, it is heart-warming to know that my absence was noticed and felt and people I’ve never met were concerned for my well-being. So again, thank you, It’s been a whirlwind 3 weeks and just now being able to catch my breath. I’m here & I’m okay-ish.

 

  Side note: Should I ever purposely decide to stop posting here, I will definitely post a farewell message.

 

@Tree_skier @grapau27 @Coralc @dani negreanu @reallyitsmema @Sunshine3601 @lenquixote66

I’m very sorry to hear of your loss.  Even when we have had time to prepare it’s always a great loss.  You look like a great couple and I’m sure her daughter appreciates you by her side during this difficult time.  I appreciate you taking the time to tell your story to us.  Perhaps one day I’ll be able to do the same.  

[h20skibum]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

Getting a little nervous for my big debut tomorrow as Santa for the videotaping of my television station's annual reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" played back on Christmas eve and read to station employee's children by long time retired anchor Larry Moore. I got the suit and some extra padding since I lost weight. The wig and beard are kinda weird, I hope they don't itch me to death. Don't worry Linda will come along to take some photos that I will post. I just hope I can get a deep enough Ho ho ho.

I, for one, would like to see the video.

 

 I could probably pull off the Santa look this year, and with the real deal beard.   Grandkids wanted me to let my beard grow for a Santa look this Christmas, so I have let it grow for the last few months.   Since my beard started turning grey at 30, it has been pure white for many years.  After a few months growth, it is a full, white beard.  
 

I would have posted a picture, but dang, it makes me look old. 🤣🤣

[lenquixote66]

18 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Carla is quite an actress.

I think she may just win this season 

[lenquixote66]

18 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

And very surprised!

I was rooting for Cody followed by Jessie ,followed by Gabler

[lenquixote66]

17 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Those 78’s might be worth a lot of money.

Possibly .In 2003 there was a used book store in my area.I was in one day and I got into a discussion about music with the owner of the store.He told me that he was a collector of obscure records.I made an appointment for him to come to my house .He had no interest in the 78’s but he was interested in several of my LP’s .I sold the ones that I was hoping that he would buy but kept many .

[lenquixote66]

17 hours ago, George C said:

My grandmother had many 78’s of Caruso and others not sure of what relatives grab them but wish I did . 

My father also had Italian opera records from the 1920’s .I have most of them .As I have previously posted ,my father was fluent in Italian and loved opera.

[lenquixote66]

17 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

My dad had a set of 78’s that was called Norman Granz’s Jazz Scene. I believe there where 7 discs that had Jazz from Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. It included a beautiful black and white photo book. I sold it on eBay to a collector for over $500.

I have 78’s by Ruth Etting,Rudy Vallee and Merv Griffin.Also a duo by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.