Tag for Dad

 

Explanation of geocaching.

Searching for hidden containers with a piece of paper inside that you write your choosen geo-name on.
You log it on-line and the one who hid the container recieves an e-mail that it was found.
 You place the container back excatly where you found it for the next person to find.
 You search for these container (caches) with a gps (we use smartphones). The information for caches around the world are found on-line at geocaching.com. This has been going on for 11 years. You would be surprised how close you are right now to a geocache that is hidden. They are ALL over the world.
In the woods
In the city
On the beach
In the ocean (scuba)
In the mountains and deserts
On fence posts
On signs
Even in EVERY Walmart parking lot.
They are everywhere!!!!

Scavenger hunting with a gps.

You can place a dog tag with a coded number on it that belongs to you and attach whatever you like to it, these are called travel bugs. You place it in a cache and the next person to find the container can take it and put it into another cache. That is how the TB (travel bug) moves all over the world. Whenever anyone moves it they log it on-line and the owner of the TB gets an e-mail where it is. That is how we know the story of our travel bug, Tag for Dad. 
 

The following story was wrote by Marvin L. Sowers
(my brother)
and published in FTF, a geocaching magazine.

 February 2013

 

 Do you
see it?
We are
the story
listed at
the top!

TAG
FOR
DAD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






We started geocaching in August of 2010 and it wasn't long before the caching bug spread through four generations of our family. Although we all love geocaching,we all keep talking about how another member of our family would have really loved this sport-Dad. Dad was an outdoor enthusiast and he loved puzzles and gadgets, a perfect combination for geocaching. Sadly, he passed in 2008, before any of us  had started geocaching.

 

My sister, 5-bears, (Sheryl) wanted to included Dad in geocaching, somehow, someway. She ended up creating a Travel Bug in his honor and named it Tag for Dad. 5-bears wanted me to be the first to find this special bug so she created a special cache just for me and sent me the coordinates specifying that I had to find it at night.

Turns out the cache was hidden in a cemetery-in fact, the cemetery where Dad is resting. This was difintely a spooky place for a cache, but I made the find, in a flower urn on Dad's stone. Creepy, but Dad would have loved it!

I asked 5-bears if she wanted me to keep the Bug or release it into the wild. She answered "Let's see where Dad goes". Soon after I took Tag for Dad to St. Louis and dropped him in a cache to get him started on his journey. It wasn't long before "Dad" visited several places in southern IL, quite possibly his favorite place in the world. That is where he spent many weekends fishing, 4-wheeling and exploring the Shawnee National Forest. Everyone in the family thought it was so cool the Travel Bug landed here!

 

"Dad" continued his journeys, visiting Kentucky and Massachusetts, but it  wasn't long before he made his way to Florida, another of Dad's favorite places. Florida is where Dad loved to take us for family vacations, looking for alligators, shelling and enjoying incredible sunsets. Wow, what a coincidence that "Dad" visited two of his favorite places in just a short time.

 

Now "Dad" traveled north, making his way to Minnesota and finally to Chicago, Illinois. Dad lived here for several years and loved Chicago. He especially loved the Sears Tower (now named the Willis Tower) and wonder of wonders-the cache was near there!

This was too much for 5-bears! She had always hoped "Dad" would find his way back home and now it was time! She enlisted the help of our geo-uncle, wes37, (Wayne) and together they drove to Chicago and found "Dad" in the cache. "Dad" was back in the family again!

 

5-bears and wes37 celebrated the reunion by visiting the top of Willis Towers, where 5-bears took "Dad" out onto one of the enclosed glass boxes hanging off the side of the building. This was a quite a feat for 5-bears as she has a fear of heights, but she wanted to do it in Dad's honor. Dad would have been so proud!

 

Our family is still amazed at where "Dad" visited. What a coincidence that in just a year and a half that this travel bug was taken to 3 of Dad's favorite places in the world, even though none of them were mentioned in the travel bugs goal!

Or maybe,

 just maybe....

Dad got to go geocaching after all! 

P.S. Tag for Dad has now been moved to 5-bears collection, so no more traveling for "Dad". But who knows, maybe he'll be put out into the wild again to revisit a few more of his favorite places!

 

 

Tag for Dad traveled 1 1/2 years.

Was placed in 41 caches by other geocachers.

Went over 5000 miles.

And visited 10 states.

 

5-bears (grandma of the 5-bears Sheryl)

 holding Tag for Dad in Willis Towers sky box.

Tag for Dad now is at Sheryl's home in place of honor.

What an adventure to watch on-line as "Dad" traveled.

 

Information on Geocaching:

http://www.geocaching.com/videos/#cat=cat:newbies&vid=-4VFeYZTTYs

We like the geocaching app on our iphones

Geocaching by groundspeak Inc.

There is an intro app and if you find it is a game you are really interested in then the $10 app is well worth it. There are more free geocaching apps that you could try too.

Our family has had lots of great outdoor experiences because of geocaching.

 

A Snickering Spirit

In August 2012 I saw an article in the paper about Peck Cemetary, well known for the haunted tales told about it.

 

Peck Cemetery Group Reading by Medium Michelle Ollis.

 August 25th, 2012. 6pm to 9pm.

 A night of mystical beliefs with psychic Michelle Ollis.

 Michelle has donated all her proceeds back to the

 restoration project for the cemetery. Cost $20.

Must be 18 to enter.

 Bring a lawn chair, drinks, snacks, flashlight, and insect repellent.

 No alcohol, photographs, or recording allowed.

 Park along Donovan Road where hayrides will be offered to the cemetery.

 Proceeds benefit Peck Cemetery restoration

That is something that Vicky and I would be interested in. We had been there before on a midnight ghost hunt. (We didn't see a ghost) You have to sign up for these special events even to see this cemetery. If you are caught in there without permission you get a $1000 fine. It is a very guarded place because of all the damage that has taken place over the years. We were surprised to find a very peaceful, nice looking cemetery.

 

We rode the hayride down the long gravel drive to the gates of the cemetery. As we paid our money to enter there was a lady watching everyone come in. Later she introduced herself as Michelle, the medium. She told the 40 or more people there she hoped to give each of us a brief reading that night.

 

We started off with a walk around the cemetery where they told us about things that had happened there and about all the work they were doing to put everything back into place and to clean it up. The medium said this was an active cemetery and there were several spirits watching us. But they were keeping their distance.

 

As it grew dark we went back to our circle of chairs and Michelle started speaking to those in the crowd. One young man had several guardians around him. Another lady had a little girl with long dark hair next to her. One after another she talked to people and it was nearing the end of the time for this event. It was interesting to hear the comments to others but I had payed my $20 and I wanted to know what she would tell me.

 

Finally she came toward us. Looking at me she said

 

You have an elderly man next to you

He is a relative.

Passed not that long ago

He is standing next to you....

snickering

(I can see my dad snickering)

that you are even here.

He is like....What are you doing here??

In his life he needed help...

He needed a LOT of help...

I mean he needed help with EVERYTHING.

(We had a lift in the house to even move him)

Even though it was hard for him

 he accepted help with a joking attitude.

You and him have a very strong connection

that has been there from the beginning.

And the cord that connects you to him brings you

together in the next life.

( for me that is heaven....

 he told everyone he would meet us at the gate)

And that was the end of the reading for me.

I thought it was correct.

I didnt really know if she would get my dad around

me because I know where he is.

 

But...

 I do think....

 that sometimes.....

 he comes to check on us....

And I guess....

he still snickers.

 

A Very  Special addition to this story

After my cousin Jeff read this story he contacted me.

Jeff’s Aunt Edith had passed away. One day Jeff was riding with his friend, who is a medium. His friend started talking about Aunt Edith. He described the church where her services were held. He talked about special things the family had done after her passing. Jeff knew he was right.

And then…

He started describing someone who was with her.

He was in a military uniform.

They were not related to each other but they were both related to Jeff.

There were other things said about the military man that Jeff couldn't recall now, but Jeff knew at once who it was.

The medium told him Aunt Edith said that he was helping her find her way.

Jeff knew it was his Uncle Marvin. 
 

Jeff said “Uncle Marvin was always fond of Uncle Ronald, Edith’s husband, and I am sure Uncle Marvin was there for Aunt Edith when she arrived. It was a great feeling to know that he is in heaven doing what he has always done best…making sure the people he cares about are taken care of. He will always be with us.”

 

 



With Each Passing

This has been on my mind for a while and I think it is appropriate that I finally have the time to write this. It is Father's Day and my dad has been gone for 2 1/2 years. Of course, I think of him often and know I was so blessed to have had him as my father...from strong grumpy young dad to older loving kinder dad (something happens to them when they become grandfathers).

There is a time that really brings him to my mind.

Each time I hear of someone's loved one passing

I relive the last moments with my dad.

Dad choose to go off dialysis after 10 years.
He had fought a long and hard battle against diabetes
with Mom at his side.
We would ask him each day if he was sure of his decision

and

 He Was Sure.

He knew where he was going.

And said he would hold the gates open for us when we join him.

For one week we had a party at the house.

Family and friends came from all over

to share their stories for the last time with him

and to tell him they loved him.

For me it was an amazing time.

He had peace..he had strength.

Each day he would say

"I hope this is the day the Lord takes me home.

I am ready"

How amazing to be that sure.

I guess there is "Blessed Assurance"

I saw it in my dad.

My dad passed as we layed him back down one morning, 

a few more breaths and he was gone.

He saw the face of Jesus at 7:30 am.

It is what we had prayed for.

Now...when I hear others tell

how they watched their loved ones die...

gasping, crying for help, bodies wracked with pain,

or even peacefully,

I relive that time with my dad.

And I am grateful

that the memories I have been left with are good.

We got to say goodbye.

We got to say I love you.

We got to be by his side

as he passed from this life to glory.

So every time someone elses loved one passes

My mind takes me back to

 relive those last moments with my dad.

And

 I know

We Were Blessed.

In Memory and In Honor

Today we honored the life of my uncle
 Ross Sowers.

My Dad's brother

He was invloved with Live Steamers.

(Small Trains.)

The last song for his service was

Life is Like a Mountain Railway (click to hear)

Perfect song for him.

And just as the song ended

A train in the distance could be

heard blowing its whistle as it came into Lincoln.

A sign that brought smiles and giggles

to loved ones sitting there.

Perfect timing..perfect ending.

Love sent from above.

We came back to Decatur

And the family gathered around

to honor the second one to have passed.

Roses were handed to the loved ones there.

And a thought was mentioned

to honor the oldest brother

who had passed 2 years 2 months before.

And with that thought,

a quick trip was made

to place a rose

upon the others grave.

It was hardly a surprise to me

as we drove into the cemetary 

 to see before us

a red tail hawk

circling against the blue sky.

Perfect timing...perfect ending.

Love sent from above.

(My sign for Dad is the red tail hawk)

I Remember When.....

For years I had thought of writing a few of my favorite memories in a card to give to Mom and Dad. I wanted to let them know that simple times held the best memories for me.

I decided to involve the whole family with a perfect gift for Mom and Dad that came from this idea.

I found an unusual jar and labeled it Memories, Smiles and Treasures. I sent several slips of paper to each family member with instructions to write "I remember..." moments with Marv and Evelyn and sign their name to each slip. Some wrote out a lot of memory slips, others wrote out one of two.

Both of my parents birthdays are in July so we picked a day in between and set it up for a family get together. I gave them the empty jar and told them they needed to fill it with special memories. Mom and Dad took a few moments thinking of what in the world they could put into this jar. Then I told them we would help them fill it. Each one of us put our "I remember" slips in the jar. We had nearly 200 memory slips!

That day a few slips were pulled out and read. There were smiles and laughter. There was astonishment at events that were remembered. There were tears as love was recognized. Memories read brought renewed memories for others or a new memory to be wrote out and shared later on. Everyone enjoyed this time of sharing  memories of Marv and Evelyn...
                              of Mom and Dad....
                                     of Grandma and Grandpa.

 Mom and Dad were instructed to take a couple of "I remember" slips out to read every day. It took them 3 months to go through the jar. And then they started all over again. Sometimes they would come across a new memory that someone had secretly added. It was a continuing joy.

When Kayla was 2 she joined us in this tradition.

Every Wednesday when she was at "Sowers" and Grandma's she would pass out the I remember when's. Everyone would read one and then Kayla in her sweet little girl voice would read hers...."I remember all the time" (Ah..I can hear her sweet voice now)

Some of our memories:
Marvin (son)" I remember... Dad coming back from Florida with oranges and teaching everyone a dance called the Twist."

Sheryl (daughter) "I remember...all the stars at Tall Tree Lake where we camped. I'm so glad Mom and Dad took me there."

Stephen (grandson)" I remember...Grandpa and Grandma's last jeep. I hated to see it sold. I remember Grandpa saying we would have visitation rights."

Cindy (granddaughter)" I remember...my first plane ride. Mom and I went up in a small plane with Grandpa. We got to see our house and all around Decatur."

Keri (granddaughter)" I remember...going to the state fair every year with Grandma and Grandpa. We got to ride the Skyline and spend $5."

Crisite (granddaughter) "I remember....that I love my grandparents so much and I always will."

With the grandkids there was one memory that they each wrote.

"I remember...Grandpa taking us to the donut shop. After we ate our donut we could buy a piece of bubble gum. Sometimes Grandpa would buy a donut to take home to Grandma. But when we would get home we would sneak downstairs and eat her donut. "

It truly was a gift that kept on giving

for years and years.

A wonderful gift of memories.

I'd Wish I Could (1985)

When I was 5 I got bit by my dog.

Dad tried to make me feel all better.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 7 Dad took us to

Tall Tree Lake to camp.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 13 I heard Dad get up in

the middle of the night for a drink.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 16 I watched as Dad

protected us from unknown noises.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 18 Dad walked me down

the isle of the church to be married.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 20 I had a beautiful

baby girl to show my Dad.

I wished I could and

Then I did...

Tell him..

"I LOVE YOU"

Now I am older and so is he

and I'm so glad I can't say

"I wish I had told Dad"

Because I did tell him and

I tell him again today,

"I love you, Dad."

The Christmas Present

Dad liked giving gifts to Mom. In the last years when he was unable to go out anymore it was my job to search for the gift that he had in mind. I would also pick out birthday, anniversary and Christmas cards for him to give to her. I would read cards until my heart......
                                    my intuition.....
                                            my spirit....
                 would tell me this is the one he wants.

For their 50 anniversary Dad wanted to buy Mom a diamond ring and a watch. But with her condition her fingers swell and are painful so instead I found a tiny diamond ring charm to go on a gold watch necklace. 

                               
She was very pleased with the necklace knowing the thought that went into it from my dad. She loved her 50th anniversary present. 
 
Years later as Dad needed more and more help we had nurses, care givers, and others who came into the house to help. It was at this time that Mom's favorite Anniversary necklace disappeared. We searched and searched for it...in the bedroom...in the frontroom...in every room...in every place. But we had no luck in finding it. The thought came that someone may have taken the necklace. It was no where to be found.

 Six years after their 50th Anniversary Dad passed. There was so much to do as we got the house ready to sell. In that time we thought about the necklace and looked for it as each drawer was cleaned out...as each piece of furniture was moved. But the Anniversary necklace was never found.

             *************************************
One of things that I have had to adjust to is that I no longer search for that perfect present that Dad wanted to give Mom. Except this year it was especially on my mind.....

 (Here I go again...with talk of wonders and signs)
Rainbows are Kayla's sign for my dad. For me...hawks are my sign for him. When I took Dad to Springfield to the doctors he would always point out the hawks.

Tuesday as I driving near the lake a hawk flew along beside my van. It was so close I could count its red tail feathers. I was in wonder...I thought of my dad....I thought of the Anniversary necklace and I thought maybe I should look for another one.

                                           
30 minutes later I turned onto my road and then another hawk soared directly toward my van...it was so close I could count it tail feathers. It made me wonder...was this a sign from Dad that I needed to get Mom a Christmas present...another necklace. Why is that necklace on my mind...on my heart?
I thought sometimes signs come in 3's. If I saw another hawk then that was it...I had to go find a necklace for Mom. I went into my house and was talking to Stan. Then I noticed the show he was watching on TV was about a......you guessed it, didn't you? It was about a red tail hawk! That was it....Mom was going to get a Christmas present from Dad this year.

 The next morning was Wednesday and Mom, Triece and I always go out to eat. I went and picked up Mom. And before I could even say a word she said "I found my Anniversary necklace!". All I could say was "WHAT?".  She said she couldn't believe it when she opened her jewelry box of pins and it was right on top.

 I know..I know...I know...it was not there before. 
 I remember looking in that box when it was lost

 I remember looking in that box through the years.

 I remember looking in that box when we moved her.

She has been in her apartment for almost 2 years.

                 How could it be right on top?

I said "Mom, I think you got a Christmas miracle." And I told her the story about the hawks and how I knew she was to get an Anniversary necklace for Christmas. I just thought I was supposed to go buy her another one. I didn't realize that hers was going to show up in her jewelry box....right on top!

                           

Merry Christmas Eveyln...
     With Love From Heaven