How does time escape us so quickly? I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted here.
It has been an eventful month to say the least. On the 16th of May, my parents were on their way to come to Wenatchee, so the girls & I went to Yakima to visit Papa Cliff & Gma Vi, to await their arrival. WE got to spend a good part of the day with Papa & Gma. It was an enjoyable day. (if only we could have seen what was to come)
Papa & Gma took the 3 of us to Selah to the Selah Days. (little carnival/fair) Papa bought each of the girls a wristband to ride the rides there. They seemed to enjoy that. We walked around and talked while the girls went on their rides. There was some that only Lani would ride. :-)
AFter that we met up with my parents at Papa & Gma Vi's home. We visited briefly and then went to dinner at The Country Buffet place in town. Papa treated us all to dinner and we enjoyed visiting and spending that time with two sets of grandparents.
After dinner we went back to Papa & Gma's home and then said our goodbyes.
Then my parents & the girls & I drove home to Wenatchee. Jeff had stayed home to do his homework, so he was not with us. :-(
The following Tues. May 19th, I was at my Presidency meeting (which hadn't begun yet_), when I received a call from Jeff telling me that Papa Cliff was rushed to the hospital and they weren't sure he was going to make it!! WHAT??? How can this be? We just saw him on Sat. (those are thoughts going through my mind)
I left my meeting and met Jeff at home. While waiting for Jeff, I told my parents what was happening(through many tears) and packed Jeff & I an overnight bag. We drove together to Yakima to the hospital. He had been moved to ICU by the time we arrived. So we visited with the family and found out what had happened. Apparently, he collapsed on a job. He was at the home of someone helping her shovel gravel on their driveway. After the first load was mostly finished,(from my understanding). the lady working with him said she didn't feel well and went inside. (Papa, teasing as usual, called her a wimp or something like that )
The next thing the lady knows is the driver delivering the next load of gravel is banging on her door, telling her Papa is passed out in the driveway. Someone called 911 and she started CPR, and kept at it till the paramedics arrived. They had to revive him at least 2 times in the ER. No one knew the extent of damage at this time (due to lack of oxygen to the brain).
On Wed. the DR. met with the family and told us what they knew. Which was: there was brain damage, they didn't know how much at that time; it didn't look good,. We were all very upset by this news. They also told us we needed to pray for a miracle. :-(
Jeff & I decided to drive home that evening and come back the next day with the girls and my parents. (Our family and my parents were supposed to be driving to the Oregon Coast that coming weekend) We drove back to Yakima on Thurs. morning. Jeff & jolyn together in my parents car and the rest of us in the van after we finished packing for the trip to Oregon.
Grandma Vi had told us on Tues. shortly after we had arrived to go on our trip, cause Papa wouldn't want us to miss that due to him. They loved to go to the Coast and went every year.
The next meeting with the Dr. that afternoon brought very sad news. Papa had severe brain damage and if he came out of the coma he was in, would not be the same as he was. The siblings & Vi got together and decided to take him off of the life support and see what it brought. We all knew this was the end. It was very hard to let him go. I have a special place in my heart for Papa Cliff, since the first time I met him, at my parents home at our open house in Dec. 1991. He and Uncle Sonny drove up from Yakima to be there with us. It was awesome. I have developed a very close relationship with him through the past 17 years. Papa Cliff passed away on Thursday, May 21st 2009, surrounded by his family. I miss you Papa!
I still have a hard time believing that he is gone. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that I will see him again.
YAKIMA - James Clifford Giles passed away May 21, 2009 in Yakima, WA.
Cliff was born June 2, 1939 in Clinton, Arkansas, to Perren and Wilma Giles. He was raised in Yakima and graduated from Yakima High in 1957 and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. Cliff was self employed and owner of Cliff's Classics for the past 30 years. He was married to Vi Giles for the past 32 years.
Cliff's enjoyment in life was: his cars, working, racing cars, NASCAR, other people's cars, working, going to the Oregon Coast, the Vintiques, working on cars, his grandchildren, his pets, working, rollerskating (in his younger years), his morning coffee group (Mel's Diner and various others over the years) and collecting (yes, cars).
Cliff was a fun loving, kind hearted, generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He often looked out for the underdog and is well known for helping out many in need. All who knew him were impacted by his generous nature, his friendship and his smile. He has either worked on, sold, or given 'cars' to most family members and half the Yakima Valley.
He was preceded in death by parents Perren and Wilma Giles, baby brother (Doyle Giles) and son Robin Giles.
He is survived by wife Vi Giles, step mother Anita Giles of Selah, brother Sonny Giles (Bessie) of Yakima, sister Barbara Gamache (Gene) of Moxee. Children: Jimmy Giles of Tri Cities, Jeff Stevens (Lisa) of Wenatchee, Dorothy Gonzales of Lodi, CA, Jeri Giles of Anna, Texas, Bobbie Braun (Kelly) of Bonney Lake, WA. Grandchildren: Alicia Velasquez (Ben), Larry and Joseph Gonzales, Christine and Amanda Giles, Heather, Kyler and Robin Braun, Jolyn and Jalani Stevens. Great grandchildren: Alex and Briahna Velasquez and Junior Lawson. and his loving companion, (pet) Winston and too many friends to name.
Goodbye for now Papa. Till we Meet Again!! Love you forever!!
