Tony Soul Searching
The business was sold; remodeling houses didn't make profit; and his relationship struggled. Tony and Carol decided to divorce. Very sad day for us all. It seems the universe swung the pendulum to the opposite direction from what his life was like for the previous 50 years. After the divorce, the house was lost, Tony became "Homeless", and he was very depressed. No longer working, no interest in working and found life difficult to participate in, he seemed shocked that he was in this predicament.
Fortunately a lovely neighbor was willing to take him in, she helped him for several months, yet he was still miserable. Leina then offered a room for him at her place, things still remained tough. Tony then moved to a homeless shelter in down town Seattle.
At first he shares with us, he hated it, he judged everyone else in there, the other homeless people. After a conversation about love, love for life, one special sun shining after noon, Tony began to see the light again. He began having those powerful deep meaningful conversations with the other homeless people around him and shared beauty of their lives. He saw past the facade and again revived his teachings, and accepted teachings from others. He shared stories of stopping at the fire station in down town Seattle to say "Thank you” to the firemen, he would ask for broken flowers at the market that weren't going to be used and pass them to others on the street, and he would take photos for couples so they both could be in the photo. His heart was full of gold, so kind, so thoughtful.
Sadly, though he enjoyed its effects, his vice and freedom was wine; and wine got the best of him. April 2, 2014, Tony became very sick from alcohol abuse, he developed infections in many places in his body with liver damage. This hospitalization led him to be disabled, unable to walk on his right knee, yet this also brought him to 13 months of sobriety from cigarettes and alcohol after that tough day of surgery at Harborview Medical Center.
Tony got his own home Sept. 2014 in Kent and began weekly visits with miss Ivy Quinn (grand daughter) and Leina and Amber who moved to Auburn and would visit when she could, being busy with medical school and starting residency.
By spring 2015 Tony was well known again at his apartment complex, going outside visiting with all who passed by, again having those graceful conversations connecting with others. Tony built up the strength to walk his 2nd daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, May 2nd 2015, his smile so big. And the summer of 2015 was yet another great summer for Tony, again having sun tan toes from being outside, talking with others, sharing stories, laughing and playing, and the wine came back. Again the wine got the best of him. He truly knew how to make others smile and laugh; and wanted to take his health in his own way.
Tony passed December 18th, peacefully in bed, a determined, brave, courageous man; his brother Steve came to help him to heaven and he rejoices with his mother and father and all his ancestors and friends who had passed before him. He now guides us earthlings, loved ones, friends and family. I ask you to call on him if you need his support and I say to you father
Tony, please guide us to light and love, we are sorry, we ask for forgiveness, we thank you and we LOVE you!
Rest with peace, in peace, you are peace.
LOVE you so.