Author Archives: ivanbenson

About ivanbenson

I am a former singer, guitar player, writer, story teller, voice over talent, and a current heart attack survivor in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

New Year’s Day 1969: Take Off Your Gloves

Posted on January 8, 2013 by ivanbenson

I was fifteen years old in 1969. Full of life, teenage exuberance, and boundless expectation. So, when the invitation came to climb Mount Baboquivari on New Year’s Day, I was more than excited. Mount Baboquivari is a unique mountain peak … Continue reading →

Posted in Family History, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged 1969, astounding, Baboquivari, belay, breathtaking, carbide lights, delights, discomfort, enjoy, feelings, Field of Dreams, gloves, Great Flood, heart, incomprehensible, injury, insurmountable, James Earl Jones, journey, Life, memories, Milky Way galaxy, navel, New Year's Day, obstacles, once-in-a-lifetime, orange, pain, Papago, rappel, rescue, risk, self protection, sentinel, sky, snow, Southern Arizona, stars, sunset, teenage, Tohono O'odham, trail, Tucson, unforgettable, unprotected | 8 Comments

It’s Not About Me!

Posted on December 31, 2012 by ivanbenson

I sat by my Dad’s beside as the doctor reviewed his medical condition and provided him with the treatment options that were available to him. Dad only had one kidney (he had lost the other to cancer several years previously), … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Family History, Fathers, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged acceptance, anger, Dad, death, depression, desert view, dialysis, goodbye, hospice, hospital, let it go, Life, not about me, peace, perfect storm, resignation, thank you | 10 Comments

First Christmas

Posted on December 22, 2012 by ivanbenson

My first Christmas was in 1953. But I don’t remember it at all. I was just a few weeks out of the incubator at the hospital in Chattanooga (having been 4 to 7 weeks premature, and just over 4 lbs … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Family History, Fathers, Stories, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged Christmas, death, Family, first, gifts, memory, Merrythought toys, mother, ornaments, presents, teddy bear, toys | 10 Comments

The Deepest Longing

Posted on December 13, 2012 by ivanbenson

“Follow the deepest longing in your heart.” That’s what Dr. V said to me 34 years ago this spring. I was about to graduate with a master’s degree, and had three employers lined up waiting to see which one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice, anger, argument, career, decision, deepest, defense, dilemma, disappointment, dismiss, heart, honor, hurt, longing, Mark Twain, professor, school, troubles, wisdom | 14 Comments

Unfinished Tasks

Posted on December 7, 2012 by ivanbenson

My oldest daughter was going through Christmas cards yesterday, sorting through some of her late grandmother’s unused cards to use as her own this season. We had given these cards to her as we cleaned out mother’s apartment in late … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Assisted Living, Family History, Nursing Homes, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged blessings, cards, Christmas, death, Family, final words, joy, loving words, mother, season, smiles, tasks, unfinished | 10 Comments

The Final Cut

Posted on November 29, 2012 by ivanbenson

My family and I went to see Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” last night at the movie theater; what a marvelous performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, portraying the beloved president who was complex yet simple, powerful yet demure, jocular yet intense, cheerful yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Family History, Fathers, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged death, depression, father, film, final cut, grief, healing, Life, Lincoln, mother, movies, mulligan, scripts | 16 Comments

The Matchbook

Posted on November 13, 2012 by ivanbenson

One of the many tasks that usually falls to the primary caretaker for a departed parent is the sorting through of clothing and possessions; what to keep and what to donate, or throw away. It is an arduous task, of … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Family History, Fathers, Stories, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged aging, ancient Israel, chattanooga, History, investigation, love, marriage proposals, matchbooks, memories, parents, remembrances, restaurants, the past, tomlinson's restaurant, world war II | 6 Comments

30 Years Ago

Posted on October 24, 2012 by ivanbenson

It was thirty years ago next month that my friends and I ran in the Marine Corps Marathon is Washington, DC. It was a beautiful, cool morning, with crystal clear skies as we embarked on the 26.2 mile treck around … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Assisted Living, Family History, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged aging, death, Family, friends, funeral, marathon, memories, old age, running | 12 Comments

Winning the Battle

Posted on September 12, 2012 by ivanbenson

My mother won her battle with pulmonary hypertension just after midnight, as Friday, August 24, 2012 announced its arrival. She awoke from a long slumber which lasted all day and all night Thursday, and when asked if she was all right, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Assisted Living, Family History, Nursing Homes, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged aging, Assisted Living, death, Family, life lessons, love, memories, parents | 10 Comments

Ragtime Cowboy Joe

Posted on August 22, 2012 by ivanbenson

On Saturday hospice took over my mother’s case at the assisted living facility in the small community where she now resides, a few miles south of us. I was pleased. She needs the extra care, and I think they will … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Parents, Assisted Living, Family History, Nursing Homes, Stories, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged Assisted Living, children, cowboys, death, dying, memories, mother, songs | 14 Comments

	ivanbenson on Unfinished Tasks
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