Carbless Happiness

Donald E. Clark 1949-1996
He was a wonderful, kind, strict, funny, hardworking dad. He was also agreat friend, great mechanic, kind neighbor, and a gentle giant. I amgrateful to have had him as my Dad and I am amazed at how well he knew me.My Dad taught me how to change the oil, repair a transmission and how towork hard. But he also taught me the importance of reading the scriptures,being a good listener and being kind. I, of course, took all of that forgranted. I have his journal which helps a bit. I only have a few picturesbut I have lots of wonderful memories.

It will be 13 years on Jan 7th since his death and I have not stoppedthinking about him. Everyday the pain is as raw as that first day withouthim. I believe that we are an eternal family, I will see him again. Butuntil then I will long to hear his voice, to feel his reassuring hand uponmy shoulder and to see his great smile. I know he would have loved myhusband and my children. I hope he would have been proud of my life and thechoices I have made. But above all I just wish I could have seen his face onmy important days.

Monday, October 21st would have been my Dad's 59th birthday. I still love him so much.

The Sunday of the concert started off a little rocky. At about 12:25pm that Sunday our middle one (or #2 we call her, if we need to discuss something about her while she is in the room) started with the stomach flu, I will spare the details, but NOT fun. And not to mention this was the third night in a row being woken up like this, I think the kids were getting us back for making them share a room, or something. So needless to say we were tired, and unable to attend church, which I was feeling guilty about since I knew no matter what, Hell or High Water, I would be at the United Center at 6pm to get in line for my tickets for my guys, otherwise known as BON JOVI.

We started the evening with a romantic dinner at Maggiano's (one of our very favorite restaurants), then we took the thirty minute drive into Chicago. I love Sunday traffic. We got to our destination VERY early but we didn't care, we were there to have fun, even if that meant chatting with our neighbors in the Will Call line. That was surprisingly fun, and the people watching was fanastic. From 5:00-8:30pm we people watched and WOW, some things haven't changed since 1985, if you know what I mean. Big mall bangs, Jean jackets, and Acid wasted jeans. I am not one to verbally make such statements...to anyone but Matt. BUT WOW!!!! There were some blasts from the past there. Then Chris Daugherty, the American Idol runner-up from a few years ago. He was great. He seemed to own that show, he could have kept playing and from where I was rocking...no one would have cared. He was great and not bad to look at too. :)

Then the "Men of the Hour" finally made their stage entrance. Jon was raised from the underbelly of the stage to a roaring welcome for his adoring fans. All the guys looked great!!! We watched 75% of the show and then it was our turn. SIDE STAGE!! It was great. The only downside was that Jon didn't make it over to our side, but Sambora was there and it was awesome. The fiddle player was pretty and engaging to our little crowd. After we got back to our seats...it ended all too soon. There is no complaint, now a mere six months later, it seems like yesterday. It was worth whatever my crazy, wonderful, amazing husband paid for the tickets and the night will NOT be forgotten.