Thinking of Pico

My middle brother died in 2004, in January.  I'm thinking of him quite a bit lately, since August 3rd is his birthday.  Yes, his name was Pico Sepulveda, and if you are into Dr. Demento, you may know why that name brings a smile to people's faces.


But it wasn't just his name; it was everything about him.  Pico loved people.  He loved interacting with them, entertaining them, making them happy.  He adored his family, every single one of us, and gods know there are plenty of us. :)  Yeah, we have our odd ones, but I won't name names.  You know who you are. :D


Pico had been in the Navy.  He decided that it was probably better to enlist in the Navy than it would be to be drafted into the Army.  I think it was a good decision.  My sisters, his son... we have lots of former Navy members in my family.  My dad used to drive us down to San Diego, from Los Angeles, at least once a month to visit Pico.  He worked as a reporter for "The Periscope," which I believe was the newspaper of Point Loma's submarine base.  He was stationed on the USS Nereus, which is a submarine tender.  It was always an adventure to go aboard the Nereus during its open houses.  It was so big; at least to my child's eyes.  Big is really an aircraft carrier, which I have never had the pleasure to board.


After the Navy, following in the footsteps of the rest of our aircraft crazy family, Pico went to work for Flying Tiger.  It's gone now, but it was a cargo flying company.  They flew 747's.  


When I came out to Arizona in 1985, Pico brought his family out to visit.  I think he fell in love with it, as had I, at first sight.  It wasn't long before he moved his family out here.  I was so happy to have family here!  Next, my older sister and her family moved here.  I guess I had started a trend.  Eventually, I'd be joined by my mom and her sister, my Aunt Lorraine, and my oldest sister and her husband, the wonderful Bud, moved to Lake Havasu.  I'd like to think it was my magnetic personality that drew them all out here, but... yeah, Arizona is the best. :D


I miss Pico very much, but I see him in his sons, and in his grandsons, and I am very thankful for that.  He knows how much he is loved.


Well, tomorrow is camptosar infusion day... blech.  But I was feeling pretty well today, and my phlebotomist was a GEM!  Tomorrow I'll find out how my labs were.  I'm kind of hoping we don't have to have a shot of that creepy Aranesp.  But, you know, I'll do what I have to do. :P


Have sweet dreams, people.  Give someone you love a big hug.