Ashes to Vegas – Happy B-day Jonco

This post is in honor of Dad’s birthday today, he’d have been 75.

Earlier this year, Patco took all 4 grandkids to Las Vegas. Jonco had built up airline miles that needed using. Las Vegas was his favorite destination. So each grand invited their plus one and Patco took one of her Pat friends (she has multiple Pat friends), and off to the ‘city that never sleeps’ they went!

The grands and Pat left a little bit of Jonco around town.

They stayed at the Luxor Hotel
A little bit of Jonco there…

One year later – Missing Jonco

It’s been 365 days since Dad passed away. It’s hard, of course, as expected… but we’re doing ok. We’ve adapted to a new normal. I’m most grateful that Mom has so many good friends that love and support her.

There are a few memorials that were put in to place this year. For example;

Mom ordered a bench for the club Dad belonged to; it says “In Memory of Jonco – A friend and a beer are always near”.

A monetary donation was also made, for a few repairs that Dad had wanted to make at the club; they were carried out by son Dave, grandson Vince, and friend Kurt.

Kurt and Vince taking a break

A ‘Thanks for the Memories’ video was made for Dad and his good friend Dave (who is retiring from emceeing) for all the Christmas Show hosting they did over the years. Here are some stills from the video..

A paver stone at Give Kids the World has been placed on “the Avenue of Angels” in Orlando FL. This was arranged by Dad’s brother, Paul.

Mom has arranged the tickets to take all the grandkids to Las Vegas (Dad’s favorite) in a few months, using all the miles that Dad had built up.

This framed pic of Jonco and Trixie, from B&P’er DJ, was hung right above the doggy door. (Yep, that’s Buster below!)

Jonco’s friend, Derek, (who named one of his cats Jonco) wrote a song about missing him.

Jonco the cat

Repass (for Jon)

We sit here
finding things to laugh about.
Friends and family–
all the people we can’t live without.

Scratching off the numbers
and missing you.
Telling all the stories
and missing you.

The world outside is quiet.
No one to ruin our day.
“Treat everyone as you would want to be…”
That’s such a “you” thing to say.

Measuring reactions
and missing you.
Random acts of kindness
and missing you.

Tell the person behind me
that this one’s on me.
I know I’m not always wrong or right.
I just see things how I see.

And all I can see right now
is that I’m missing you.
I’ve got all these Bits & Pieces,
but I’m missing you.

I’m missing you.

Here’s a LINK to the SONG

Memorial Posters were hung at the annual Mud Volleyball Tournament that Dad helped organize each year.

And of course, I also have to say, thank you for all the nice messages we’ve received from the B&P community. It truly means the world <3

Love to all,

krisgo and fam

I’m off to Las Vegas

I’m off to Las Vegas for five days for a blogging conference. I have some things pre-posted for every day I’m gone but not as many posts as usual.  I’ll probably blog a little while I’m there but I don’t plan to be in my hotel room all the time.

I’m staying downtown at the Plaza which is where the conference is. I’ve never stayed downtown before and I’m looking forward to it.  I’ve always stayed on the strip in all my previous trips.