Keeping On While Facing Loss
Last week was a tough one as a few days previously my 97 year old Dad decided to stop taking treatments for a condition which would hasten death. Being that he was completely lucid, the decision showed great courage and a desire to face his demise on his own terms. Two of my sisters, one of my nieces, and my daughter who is an orthopedic surgeon were all there to help my Dad’s partner during the process. I called in, but as the week went on and his ability to speak deserted him, I would have to rely on reports of his non-verbal responses to my conversations with him.
My Dad is someone who I have always looked up to. He set an example by always working hard and smart with the highest ethical standards. He also set a good example for physical fitness both by playing basketball into his 50s, not allowing me to cut the grass growing up because he did it for exercise, and then by taking long walks to start every day during retirement. He was always positive, kind, and had a great sense of humor. During my working career, I could always count on him as a sounding board. In retirement, we talked weekly and he would always joyfully start every conversation with “what’s going on in the Kupari Saari?” It was awesome to be able to provide him briefings (kind of an accountability thing) on what I had going on as I know it brightened his days.
Pictured with my Mom and Dad upon attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in 1973.
The past week would start in the pool at MTU’s SDC where I put in a 2,300 yard swim. That afternoon I would head over to The Bluffs in Houghton to make two presentations to interested residents. The first covered the partnerships that resulted in the Chassell Historic Trail and the second provided an introduction to the Remote Workforce Keweenaw initiative. One of the residents in attendance, Marlene, was a former Chassell Historical Organization board member. I would learn from Marlene that she has a granddaughter working remotely as a director of search engine optimization from her former home in Chassell. Like my previous presentation on the Border to Border Ski, the audience was very attentive and asked a lot of great questions. I would encourage others wanting to share information about their local organizations to take advantage of opportunities to present at there.
Tuesday morning I would meet up for coffee with Kevin Store from the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation. In addition to catching up with one another, we were meeting to discuss the Blight Remediation Fund that Chassell Township will be partnering on with the Foundation. The Foundation will receive contributions from residents that would then be granted out to help local residents who cannot afford to address blight conditions with their homes. Subsequent to the meeting, I pulled together the purpose and key provisions of the program and forwarded those back to Kevin so the program can be finalized.
Wednesday morning I skipped my swim to attend the Keweenaw Chamber’s breakfast and Million Cups at the Bonfire in Houghton. Kevin Store presented on the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation. Subsequent to these meetings I headed to the Chassell Township Office to work with the Clerk, Lynn Gierke, on completing some additional items we needed to add to our MDNR 5-year recreation plan. We also did some needed work toward the border map that we will need to submit with our grant proposal we are working on to further develop the canoe/kayak launch. I would have enough time after that to complete a 4.3-mile out-and-back run on US 41 before a 6:00 p.m. public informational meeting at the Fire Hall hosted by the Planning Commission for Architect James Marusich and Dan Palosaari to present on the redevelopment project proposed for the former site of the Chassell Mercantile.
The presentation was extremely informative and provided an excellent opportunity for community members to ask questions. The proposed project was received well by those in attendance.
The Township Board meeting that followed provided the opportunity for me to brief the board on the progress with the Blight Remediation Fund, the buckthorn remediation project on the historic trail that we are working on with Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area, and progress on the SPARK Grant projects. During new business and after briefing the board on the contacts I had made with the local units of government about their experience with the product, the board would approve the match commitment for the CD3 Boat Wash Station in the event KISMA is successful securing the grant that would pick up half of the cost.
Thursday, Remote Workforce Keweenaw featured Carolyn Dekker. This is a great story about how remote work helped retain an individual in the Keweenaw who was impacted by the closure of Finlandia University.
You can learn Carolyn’s story on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at this link.
That afternoon, Julie and I would head up to Calumet to ski at Swedetown. The snow had returned, but there actually seemed to be more fresh snow in Hancock. Even so, the conditions were decent. I headed out for the Bear Loops covering 8.69 miles and Julie followed with the exception of Papa Bear.
Friday started with a 1,900 yard swim at MTU’s SDC. There were some really decent lake-effect snow squalls, so after making a stop at home to change into my skiing gear I headed up to Hancock to ski at Maasto Hiihto and Churning Rapids. Before hitting the trails, I called to talk with my Dad. This was definitely the most difficult conversation as I wanted nothing left unsaid. Skiing by myself in the forest with Dad in my thoughts could not have been a more perfect place to be at that point.
I would eventually ski down into the Swedetown Creek Gorge on Sidewinder where I would finally break my meditation by meeting a technical college instructor from Madison, Wisconsin, who was up to ski for the fourth time this winter. He had a computer engineering background with start-up experience as well. We discussed Remote Workforce Keweenaw and committed to doing dinner the next time he is in town.
You can see my GoPro video from this 7-mile ski on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:
My Dad passed away on Friday night. Although expected, the weight of the news when my sister called brought a rush of sadness. Comfort will come from the fact that he had truly lived an amazing life with such length and health that everyone should be so lucky to experience. Comfort will also come from the pride I feel to be his son.
Saturday I would learn that that my Dad had not written his own obituary so after discussing the matter with my sisters, I took on the daunting task of capturing a snapshot of his almost 98 years. You can find his obituary which appears in today’s Daily Mining Gazette at this link.
Sunday would bring some much desired bright sunshine for the Hancock Trails Club Retro-Ski. Participants went out in three groups. Julie went out from the Fairgrounds with a large group of those choosing to snowshoe. I skied a little over 8 miles with a small group from the Fairgrounds and another group would drive out to the Christensen Road Trailhead to ski from there.
You can check out my GoPro video from this ski on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:
Post-ski, Julie and I would meet up with friends at Gino’s in Hancock for the Chassell Lions Club Valentines Dinner where we had an outstanding meal and super conversation!
Do you embrace winter and have the ability to work remotely? Consider locating in the Keweenaw where you will find ubiquitous natural beauty, no congestion, and lower crime! Not sure? Come UP for a workcation to check it out! Learn how at Visit Keweenaw at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/plan/trip-ideas-itineraries/workcations/ Visit Remote Workforce Keweenaw at https://remoteworkforcekeweenaw.com. Learn about those making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw