Ted's Biography

Part One: I introduce TED, my paternal grandfather, via a memory of visiting my grandparents and hearing him drunkenly yell at ANNE D., my grandmother. I present a second memory, told to me by RANDY, my father. I reflect on my often negative relationship with Ted. I present Ted’s biography. I tell the story of how ANNE, my mother, met Ted. I address Ted’s home, business, and career, as well as the family. I tell the story of how Ted and Anne D. met, and explore Ted’s career as an engineer in more depth. I present Randy’s gradual movement away from his father and into Anne’s family. I show Anne D.’s death and how this began to affect Ted. I show Ted’s melancholy for the first time. I present positive memories of Ted, including his trips to yard sales and how he helped me start a coin collection. I present stories of Ted beginning to take an interest in me, such as when he wanted to talk about my trombone playing. I reflect on how Ted changed for the better after his wife’s death. I present numerous catchphrases that Ted made famous in the
Anne is introduced again. I reflect on the few weeks before her death as well as her extended battle with breast cancer. I talk about how my time spent with my four grandparents offered the “experiential learning” to help me cope with Anne’s loss. I present stories of how certain objects, like a space-heater, reminded me of my mother. I look at some humorous moments of dealing with the logistics of someone’s death, like cancelling credit cards. I introduce her habit of keeping a “Grateful Journal” and explore how loved ones leave impacts we might not even realize. I offer anecdotal memories of Anne which show her to be feisty yet fiercely loving. I discuss my parents’ marriage. I present family vacations before and after her death. I examine how Ted and Anne had a turbulent meeting but a loving relationship at Ted’s death. I look at Anne’s legacy and how Ted and Mario impacted