Welcome to my blog
So this is a place I rant and rave, wear my heart on my sleeve, gush on my family, and most importantly share my art...the photo stories of wonderful couples and people I cross paths with. Don't be afraid to bookmark it, or leave a comment. I love hearing from everyone and anyone. Check back frequently...I will try to keep you updated.
Twitter
My dad called yesterday around lunchtime letting me know that my grandpa had a stroke.
He was making him breakfast and waiting for him to get up and my dad said he just couldn't. He was saying his right arm was not working and my dad called an ambulance. He died this morning at 3:30.
He has been on dialysis for quite some time now...years and years. His quality of life hasn't been great, but my dad has taken really great care of him. (He almost lost an eye roofing his house if you remember that blog post.)
This situation brought a wave of memories and emotions for me. I remember how hard he hugged me and how he smiled when he did it. I remember how happy he was to see me, and how genuine his happiness was. I remember his fingers and hands and how incredibly white his hair was. I don't remember seeing him without a flannel shirt on, and some suspenders. How he held his cell phone. When I would call he would hold the phone in a way that he pressed the phone against his cheek and could never really hear what I said. I always thought it was funny and just hoped he could hear a little of our conversations. I remember his love of motorcycles. He had an Indian back in the day. He ran his own gas staion years ago..."Center 66" (Center is my maiden name and route 66) was what it was called. I have pens laying around with the logo on them. I remember talking to him about his "diet" for dialysis. He mentioned that all he could have was "meat and beer" no fruit or veggies. I think he was just trying to make me laugh a little, cause he had a great sense of humor. The way he spoke sounded like Jimmy Stewart, which made me smile too. I now know that that similarity will be something I can recall when I want to remember him. I remember how excited he would get when my dad made horseshoes or lasagna. I remember his cigars, he loved his cigars! When I was little, during any of our family gatherings well it was the 80's...everybody smoked in the 80's. The house would be warm...like super oven warm, heater running warm...and everybody would be in the kitchen/dining room talking and smoking. Me and my brother Richie would be playing in the family room making circles with our hands to cut the smokey air. We would laugh and laugh...
What I remember most was what a sweet and genuine man my Grandpa was. I loved his laugh,his smile, and his hugs...and will really miss him.
It pains me that my kids won't know him better, that I didn't ask him EVERYTHING before he passed, that he never met Abby, that I didn't talk to him yesterday...but I am so happy that he doesn't have to do dialysis one more day or be cold for one more winter.
I will miss you Grandpa, but I am so glad I took/have this picture of you!
He was making him breakfast and waiting for him to get up and my dad said he just couldn't. He was saying his right arm was not working and my dad called an ambulance. He died this morning at 3:30.
He has been on dialysis for quite some time now...years and years. His quality of life hasn't been great, but my dad has taken really great care of him. (He almost lost an eye roofing his house if you remember that blog post.)
This situation brought a wave of memories and emotions for me. I remember how hard he hugged me and how he smiled when he did it. I remember how happy he was to see me, and how genuine his happiness was. I remember his fingers and hands and how incredibly white his hair was. I don't remember seeing him without a flannel shirt on, and some suspenders. How he held his cell phone. When I would call he would hold the phone in a way that he pressed the phone against his cheek and could never really hear what I said. I always thought it was funny and just hoped he could hear a little of our conversations. I remember his love of motorcycles. He had an Indian back in the day. He ran his own gas staion years ago..."Center 66" (Center is my maiden name and route 66) was what it was called. I have pens laying around with the logo on them. I remember talking to him about his "diet" for dialysis. He mentioned that all he could have was "meat and beer" no fruit or veggies. I think he was just trying to make me laugh a little, cause he had a great sense of humor. The way he spoke sounded like Jimmy Stewart, which made me smile too. I now know that that similarity will be something I can recall when I want to remember him. I remember how excited he would get when my dad made horseshoes or lasagna. I remember his cigars, he loved his cigars! When I was little, during any of our family gatherings well it was the 80's...everybody smoked in the 80's. The house would be warm...like super oven warm, heater running warm...and everybody would be in the kitchen/dining room talking and smoking. Me and my brother Richie would be playing in the family room making circles with our hands to cut the smokey air. We would laugh and laugh...
What I remember most was what a sweet and genuine man my Grandpa was. I loved his laugh,his smile, and his hugs...and will really miss him.
It pains me that my kids won't know him better, that I didn't ask him EVERYTHING before he passed, that he never met Abby, that I didn't talk to him yesterday...but I am so happy that he doesn't have to do dialysis one more day or be cold for one more winter.
I will miss you Grandpa, but I am so glad I took/have this picture of you!
5 comments so far
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
grandpa cecil
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.ashleybrokop.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/53
I had the privilege to work with two fantastic ladies (Lizz and Sara) from Southern Protocol a few weeks ago. They wanted an image from Suzanne and Chris' Charleston wedding and it aired on their blog...I figured it only fair to show you an image too. The bottom image was on their blog.
The link to Suzanne and Chris on their blog.
The link to Suzanne and Chris on their blog.
0 comments so far
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Southern Protocol
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.ashleybrokop.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/52
Ebony and Kevin wanted to see each other before the ceremony. You can see a sequence of their first glance of each other. You might not be able to tell, but I told Kevin "please come out in like TWO MINUTES, it is hot and I don't want her all shiny!!"...well two minutes passed and no Kevin. I think that added to the wait and excitement and he did finally surprise her, plus we got to be silly for a minute. Nothing heals the "butterflies" like a little laughter.
You can see Ebony's handy work in some of these photos. She is a true "DIY" bride. All the vendor info is at the bottom of the post. Shout out to Miss Vira, coordinator extraordinaire!!! It's always a pleasure! Another sister from this crazy other mother of ours. Emily was my right hand, thank you...to a sister from MY mother ;) Some of these angles are hers...she is gettin good!!
You can see Ebony's handy work in some of these photos. She is a true "DIY" bride. All the vendor info is at the bottom of the post. Shout out to Miss Vira, coordinator extraordinaire!!! It's always a pleasure! Another sister from this crazy other mother of ours. Emily was my right hand, thank you...to a sister from MY mother ;) Some of these angles are hers...she is gettin good!!
Wedding dress: Jolins
Coordinator- Affairs by Vira James
Wedding Cake- Sweet Memories LLC
Details (Custom monogrammed aisle runner, crystal tree,
photo card box) - Ebony (bride)
Ceremony: Grace Baptist Church, Sumter, SC
Reception: Sunset Country Club, Sumter, SC
photo card box) - Ebony (bride)
Ceremony: Grace Baptist Church, Sumter, SC
Reception: Sunset Country Club, Sumter, SC
6 comments so far
kim says:
OMG! Ashley these are GORGEOUS! Cant wait to see the rest!
(10.14.09 @ 12:44 PM)
Ebony Baxter says:
OMG Ashley we absolutely LOVE them!!! They are just what we wanted and then some! I can’t wait to do a trash the dress session with you very soon!
Your sister from another mother,
Ebony
Freda Archie says:
Ebony and Kevin these pics are beautiful.....Mrs Brokop did a wonderful job. Freda
(10.15.09 @ 06:34 AM)
Eric Baxter says:
Kevin & Ebony are what dreamz are made of, they definately were ment 2b 2gether, 2 show everyone that love iz 4 eternity! phenominal job Ashely Brokop!
(10.17.09 @ 06:13 PM)
Eric Baxter says:
Kevin & Ebony are what dreamz are made of, they definately were ment 2b 2gether, 2 show everyone that love iz 4 eternity! phenominal job Ashely Brokop!
(10.17.09 @ 06:13 PM)
Yvonne Sanders says:
Ebony you were absolutely GLOWING! You were one of the most beautiful brides I have seen. Girl you look like you should be posing for Modern Bride Magazine. The entire ceremony looked elegant and sophisticated and coming from you I would expect nothing less. Now that the wedding is over cherish the memories and enjoy the marriage. Best Wishes and Blessing, Yvonne
(10.21.09 @ 02:54 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Ebony + Kevin : part 2
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.ashleybrokop.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/51
Oh Ashley, I am so sorry to hear this but at the same time I celebrate with you all the wonderful memories you have of him. Both my grandpas are gone and I miss them dearly but I have wonderful memories of them while growing up and I know they had a big influence over the woman I am today. May Grandpa Cecil rest in peace. I will keep your family in my prayers!
(10.21.09 @ 11:40 AM)I am so sorry to hear of your lost. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
(10.21.09 @ 12:00 PM)I'm sorry, Ashley. I know how hard it is to lose someone that you love dearly. Understand that God does not make mistakes and will never give us more than we can bear. Your grandfather is in a much better place now and looks down on you every second of the day. I'm praying for you and your family.
(10.21.09 @ 01:09 PM)Thinking about you.... :(
(10.22.09 @ 09:09 AM)Oh, I'm so sorry! We just lost a grandmother this past weekend so I will keep you in my prayers as well.
(10.22.09 @ 10:11 AM)