Pap Sam

Alexander T. 'Sam' Parenti owned GC trucking company liked to bowl, and fish. He died at the age of 74 April 17, 2002. My Grandpa “Pap Sam” was born Oct. 6, 1927, in Clearfield Township, Butler County, to Enrico Parenti and Julia Parenti. A trucker for 50 years, he retired in 1997 as owner of Parenti and Sons Trucking Co. of Grove City. He belonged to Church of the Beloved Disciple in Grove City and was a former member of Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1637, Mercer. He was an avid fisherman and bowler. He loved his special canine friends, "Foxy" and "Sheba." My Grandma’s maiden name was Patricia A. Morrow, whom he married more than 57 years ago, at the residence; four daughters, Rose Mary, wife of Harry Jones Jr.; and Dorothy Parenti, both Grove City; Patricia A. Parenti, Spring, Texas; and Valerie Flynn, Mercer; four sons, Alexander T. Parenti Jr. and his wife Joyce, Westland, Mich.; James T. Parenti, Grove City; Thomas R. Parenti and his wife Joyce, Diamond Bar, Calif.; and Michael J. Parenti, Meadville; three sisters, Teresa Nagy, Annabell Ekis and Dyane Parenti, all Boyers; 18 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Pap Sam had four brothers, John, Domenic, Sylvester and Tony Parenti; and two sisters, Mary Severina and Betty Jean Scarpine. He was an amazing man and I have written this blog post as a tribute for Father’s day. Thinking of all those who have lost their fathers.

Mothers Day 2011

What a day waking up tot Emily’s sweet smiling face, with a tray of yogurt and a cut up banana. She said I cut the banana myself Mom, Happy Mothers Day! She then turned on my videos as she knows how I love to watch music in the morning. Then crawled under the covers and cuddled up to me in bed. A few minutes later Jake came up and had a big brown Kroger bag, and said Happy Mudders day Mom, I made this for you. His face was beaming and his eyes were sparkling and of course he was jumping up and down. I asked where have you been hiding this and he said “under my bed Mom”. I opened the present to find a recipe book form Mrs. Wilkins Kindergarten class; each child had said what their favorite foods that Mom makes. Well Jacob’s favorite food that Mom makes is Domino’s pizza. Not a surprise since Dad does all the cooking, but I did ask don’t you like my peanut butter and jelly? No response, it made me chuckle. He also made me a towel with his hand print on it, and a card that he carefully colored the flowers and did not go out of the lines. It was perfect! While opening Jake’s gift Emily was in her room creating my gift, earlier that week I had found her present in the garbage can, put it on and then realized I ruined her mother day gift. Yes she hid her gift in the garbage can a gorgeous necklace and earrings. She hand made a Box, magnet, pin, and card with a letter B.
We then went for a walk, such a pretty morning, tulips dancing for us, Emily noticing every bird. We held hands the whole way around the block it was like we were in heaven birds chirping and the air smelled so sweet. Called my Mom and wished her a happy day told her about all the great creations I received, she sent a picture of Emily’s hot plate sitting on her stove. Went to church and it was music day at church. I absolutely loved it, got home and got ready to go to Lake O with Family. Got to lake O Mamma K upset, my hubby to the rescue. She was so mad at me for missing Niki’s party. Feel bad but I was not going to miss spending time with my Mom in order to go to her party. Decisions decisions. Had an awesome day on the lake with the kids. The girls did a fashion show for us, blared the radio and strutted up and down the dock with Grandmas old 70’s clothes on, very entertaining. Jake and I spent some time together sitting on the rocks, splashing our feet in the water. He is so full of joy, his cheeks and eyes filled up with joy as he tried to push my feet into the cold water. Mischievious little one, but all day he was such a sweetheart picking any flower he could find, and giving it to his Mudder. Then Michael made a delicious fish dinner for the whole family. I told him his Dad would be proud, I was proud of him he’s such a great person! I love him so much, the Moms sat on the deck while he cooked, it was a grand day.

10 states in three weeks

I wrote this entry as I was heading from San Jose to Los Angeles, missed the tsunami, thank you God! I was a bit panicked this morning when I woke up and saw that on my Google page. Never been so literally scared could not think straight. Dad freaked me out saying I was in the water funnel and to possibly get a car and head for the mountains, Got to love him. Mike got mad at me because he said I was freaking out over nothing. I’ve been to many cities in so little time, Las Vegas, (the drive to Orlando, San Antonio, San Jose. Started February 13th and I am a bit wiser in many ways. First seeing the landscape of the country makes me wonder why I live in MI. Mike and I and the family belong somewhere else. With the beautiful landscape and variety you love. I met some great people, in the past month. IFA – were all trying to do the same make a living and have fun. I’ve had conversations with many different types of people. IFA and the team at Reach Local, various franchisees, for some reason Tastee Delight, Dunkin Donuts, A&W all seem to stick out. I work for a giant in the industry and am so lucky to be able to touch and impact so many business owners. We are ahead of so many marketing teams, we have talent overflowing. The drive to FL was interesting, sitting on the beach that one day was so nice, got a great tan, and drank margaritas with the family. I am so lucky to have such a great mother in law and two great kids and an awesome husband. What can I do for my husband who has been home for a month basically on his own. He needs a vacation a medal something for all his hard work. I wish I could take him with me on all these trips. The more people I meet the more I realize that he is someone special. Nothing I didn’t already know, that’s why I married him. His personality lends himself to be such a leader. I wish he could get out and overcome his anxiety as this is holds him back from so much. His strengths with people and the ability to properly assess the situation in seconds is a gift. Not to mention that he does not sugar coat anything. I met people from all over the world and has changed my perspective on life. Love taking care of his people. I will trust that loving kindness will souround me. I am blessed!

I See God through You

Emily is my reminder my peace in life that keeps me sane. I swear God speaks to me through her, sounds wierd but I believe its true. It seems that at the right moment she'll ask the greatest question or say the sweatest thing. Sunday on the way to church she recieited her bible verse perfectly. She rarely memorizes these so when she belted out "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I literally felt that God was telling me to give my constant worry a rest. I have been exhausted by the constant arguing/worry between us. Everything we've been doing debating about is out of frustration. These times are hard Yeah there making us crazy. I heard a song today that fit where we are in life in our relationship and it brought tears to my eyes. For the First Time by The Scripts. "Life will bring you pain all by itself. Your responsibility is to create joy." ~Milton Erickson
Jake is our challenge a result of poor decisions, it sure does hurt when your child misbehaves so much. How could anyone want to give up on their kid and leave them to be a child of this universe alone with out guidance. I trust that things will work out along with major persistance and discipline.