Pictures of David Hayes and Me (1977)

For Veteran’s Day, I thought it would be appropriate to write about the soldier that is closest to me - my grandfather. Like I wrote about his World War II dog tags that I wear, “ his name was David Michael Hayes, and he was from Worcester, MA. His blood type was O, and his rank was captain. His father was Patrick Hayes who lived at 3 Lily Street in Worcester (which doesn’t exist anymore). He was 26 when he went away to fight (the day after he married my grandmother), and he didn’t return for over 3 years.

I can’t imagine what my grandfather went through while in combat during World War II, but I know I wouldn’t be able to handle being in the military. I know I have a lot of other things on my mind, but I try to remember every day how lucky I am that there are so many other who are willing to be in the armed forces. Yes, I have Crohn’s and I’ve been through cancer. I will take those experiences over being in battle in the middle of a war. My grandfather’s dog tags remind me what others have been through and that I should be thankful for every free day I’m alive. Their sacrifices allow me to fight my own battle against cancer.

I think the best way to thank our veterans and current armed forces is to live life like we appreciate it. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember everyone who served and serves without you ever asking them to.

Thank you to everyone who does a job I couldn’t…

Van Halen Ticket (11/6/07) and 15-40.org Sticker

I would have blogged about this Van Halen ticket on the 6^th, but I was away from the then powerless Hope Lodge. Four years ago, when I had just started working at the Lodge, I was able to go out at night with any guests who wanted to do something. We went to movies, hockey games, and the occasional concert. The rational was that we weren’t a medical facility so if there was an emergency, anyone at the Lodge could dial 911 just as easily as I could.

So, when a guest told me he wanted to go see Van Halen, I told him I would be glad to. It was a great show (see set list), and the first time I had ever seen VH. David Lee Roth was back touring with the band, and Eddie’s son Wolfgang played bass in place of Michael Anthony. They rocked the place, and for a couple of hours the Hope Lodge guest and I forgot about cancer.

Even though I can no longer leave Hope Lodge to do evening activities with the guests (unless everyone goes), we still have fun sharing stories, watching movies, and playing games. And even though I love working here, I try to do as much as I can to fight cancer.

Lately I’ve been working with 15-40.org to raise awareness and share my story. Last week, I spoke to students at the Bancroft School in Worcester, and told them how I learned to listen to my body and not ignore symptoms. The Worcester Sharks are having a 15-40 night on January 7^th, and today I helped shoot a video promo for the game with Sharks (and former BC) player Nick Petrecki and Stephanie, another 15-40 spokesperson. It was a lot of fun, and everyone left with new15-40 gear (like this sticker), and they had Sharks hats for Stephanie and me. Keep your eye out for the video at Sharks games in December, and buy your tickets for the January 7^th game!

Birthday Card from My Nephew and #35 Poem (2009)

My younger nephew made this card for me on my birthday couple of years ago. I always love home made things, especially when I can tell a lot of care went into them. When I could see my nephew had made exactly 35 crayon candles on top of the cake, I knew this one was a keeper. It also inspired me to write the poem #35, which was included in my book III Sides to Every Poem.

I thought today would be a good day to scan this because it’s my nephew’s birthday. He didn’t have any specific requests or hints for a present, but only said, “What you usually get me.” In the past, that has meant things like disappearing ink, a squirting camera, and whoopee cushions. I don’t think he’ll be disappointed.

“C” actually reminds me of a younger Dave. Like me, he doesn’t mind stirring things up. In many ways, he’s a typical middle child who doesn’t mind being different from the rest. But, he also looks up to his older brother and at times tries to follow in his footsteps. He’s creative, speaks his mind, and is hypersensitive when it comes to things being “fair”.

Thanks for this great card buddy, I hope you had a great birthday and continued celebration tomorrow and this weekend…see you soon and I love you!

50,000 Rupiah Indonesian Bill

Thanks to xe.com, I found the US value of this Rupiah bill is about $5.60.

My friend Andy, who spends his summers in Indonesia doing anthropology research, gave me this a while ago after one of his trips.

One of my favorite Andy stories:

When I had cancer, Andy asked me if there was anything I wanted. I told him there was a certain street sign that I really hoped to add to my collection, and he went to work with his brother and one of their friends.

While his brother and friend went to acquire my “make a wish” sign, Andy stayed in the car as a lookout for any authority figures. A local cop just happened to drive by, and asked him why he was pulled to the side of the road. Quickly thinking, Andy told him that he was diabetic and that his blood sugar was running low and he was feeling light-headed.

The nice officer not only believed him, but he went to get him a candy bar. No arrests were made, and Andy got me the coveted sign.

Pictures from McGrath Photo Album (1984-1986)

If this picture doesn’t inspire the Pats, nothing will:

The bus stop on Bowman Street:

I was really proud of this ant project:

How many 80s metal bands can you spot? See also – PEI Map

USPS Tracking Labels for My Star Wars Stuff (March, 2010)

My first attempt to fund Skating for Hope involved putting most of my Star Wars collection up for auction. I had made the decision to part with most of my possessions, and I figured beginning with some of the most difficult to part with would be a good way to start. I listed the Ebay auctions on my Vader Was Framed t-shirt blog, and luckily there were enough dorks like me who wanted to bid. I raised about $250 with the items these labels tracked, and my t-shirts gave me enough money to rent the hockey rink for 24 hours.

I think it’s almost time for me to take the next step of my possession purge…

Picture of My Family, 1980

It was 1980, and the last of my generation of McGraths had recently been born. From left to right in the back there’s my father (nice tie), my grandfather, my aunt, my mom, my other grandfather (who I was named after), and my grandmother.

In the front we have my other grandmother holding my younger sister, my younger brother (love the shorts), me (with my older brother right behind me), and my older sister.

I wouldn’t be who I am without the people in this picture. They were there for my birthdays, sports games, and holidays, and I couldn’t have made it through Crohn’s and cancer without their support. None of them turned away from me while I struggled with drinking, and they taught me a lot about unconditional love.

Most of all, my family taught me how to keep my sense of humor no matter what life throws at you. I try to be there for them as much as they’ve been there for me, and try to make them proud that I’m in their family.

Love you guys, and miss “Gram”, Grandpa Dave, and Grandpa Paul.