February 2006

It was a crisp Sunday afternoon in San Francisco and Hew (short for Matthew) was taking his dog, Scooby, out for a stroll on the beach.

Suddenly out of nowhere a man carrying a Nancy Kerrigan doppleganger on his shoulders walked by wearing only blue leggings and a green top hat. Completely blissed out by this extraordinary gymnastics feat, Hew and Scooby strolled onto the beach, failing to see the “No Dogs Allowed” sign.

So intrigued by the intense concentration of the man, Hew kept his eyes glued on the dynamic duo until they became silhouettes in the sun.

Wow. Life was good.

With the Golden Gate bridge to his right, Hew took a deep breath and pondered the absurdity of the blue leggings while he ingrained the image of the man and woman in his mind forever.

Totally stuck in a moment he couldn’t get out of, Hew took his eyes off Scooby for a split second and let his mind wander back to his 3rd grade English class. When he finally snapped back to reality, he turned around to find a female police officer holding Scooby by the collar.

“What’s going on?” Hew asked as his heart began to pulsate rapidly.

With her grip tight on Scooby’s collar, the officer glared disapprovingly at Hew and yelled, “Do Hew know Hew are breaking the law? NO DOGS ALLOWED!!!”

Innocence and fear filled Hew’s eyes as the waves crashed onto his feet, soaking his brand new Saks Fifth Avenue jumpsuit.

“I didn’t see the sign!” cried Hew as he rolled up his jumpsuit.

“I think Hew are lying to me!” the officer screamed back at Hew as she stormed away with Scooby.

Hew ran after her as he cried out in indignation, “Where are Hew taking Scooby?”

Without turning around the officer hollered out, “I’m taking him to the pound.”

Scooby’s life flashed in front of Hew’s eyes. NOOOOOOO.

Scooby couldn’t comprehend what was going on but Hew knew the severity of the situation.

As the officer opened the car door, she whipped out the handcuffs and it was obvious to Hew there was no turning back.

Hew cried and cried as he watched the officer throw Scooby into the car.

What was supposed to be a nice little Sunday at the beach with Scooby turned into the worst day of Hew’s life. Left all alone, Hew gave Scooby one last look through the fenced window as he watched the police car drive away.

When the car was finally out of sight, Hew turned back to the beach gasping for air with tears rolling down his cheeks. He walked toward the water and followed Scooby’s paw prints in the sand until they were washed away by the water forever.

RIP Scooby.

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Last Saturday, January 28, 2006 my Grandma, Joyce Duncan (aka: Yellowspoon)

passed away at the age of 69, just shy of her 70th birthday on February 10th.

As much as I wish I could have just have one more hug, one more bread-baking marathon, one more dance session, or one more game of Hamburger or Rummy with her, I feel so blessed to have shared so many precious times with my Grandma. She led a very full life and was loved by everyone who knew her. My mom had a wonderful role model for a mother.

Here she is with my Grandpa and the all the grandkids in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last March.

As I was looking through my journal from our trip to Mexico I came across her Top Five list.

Grandma’s Top Five on March 22, 2005

1) My partner Ollie

2) My family (all 8 of you)
3) Our dog Shilo
4) Our home
5) Our freedom

My Grandma was always up for a good laugh and was always excited to learn the new lingo and dance moves of “the grandkids generation.” So when she was in San Diego over Christmas and saw Stephanie and I doing some “weird hand motion over our face,” she immediately wanted us to teach her how to do it.

I explained to her that the move was a recreation of a bizarre and life changing performance I witnessed while stuck in LA traffic one afternoon. I gave her a detailed description of the Asian man in the silver Acura who was throwing out the most mind blowing hand motions while rocking out solo on the 405 freeway. Like always, she nailed the performance.

My Grandma was just an all around hilarious individual. When I asked her what phrase or word she’d like me to iron on a t-shirt for her she said, “Oh, nothing fancy. I would just like the t-shirt to say – I Slept With Neil Diamond.”

Like I said, hilarious.

She made the world’s greatest raspberry jam, loved the song “Daniel” by Elton John, had a nickname for everyone, wrote Read-A-Long letters, and planted peas every year on my birthday because that’s what she was doing the day I was born. Her love of life was contagious and her spirit infectious. She was a beautiful woman inside and out who brought joy to all who knew her. I know her spirit will forever live on in the hearts that were touched by her.

Grandpa, Mom and Grandma

Dad and Grandma

Good times!

Grandma holding Ardy. Quality.

The whole family together.

I love you Grandma and miss you dearly. Thanks for all the laughs and for planting the peas every year.

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