A Million Little Pieces Of My Mind

About My Family

Michael Manion

By: Paul S Cilwa Page Views: 5,938
Hashtags: #MichaelManion
Photos and stories of my first husband.

One of the nicest things about being gay, is that most gay people, after having ended a relationship, remain friends, even close friends, after that end.

Michael Manion was my second gay relationship, my first husband, and now, remains my dear friend and grandfather to our grandchildren.

Michael's Astrological Chart

By: Paul S Cilwa Page Views: 2,946
Hashtags: #Astrology
Michael's stars!
Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s) (1134 words)

Extremely active by nature, you like to get around, meet people and do different things. Very restless, you just can't seem to stay put. You need to be involved in several projects at once in order to keep your mind stimulated. You like to read books and to write letters and to talk—constantly. Seemingly ageless, you will always appear to be much younger than you really are. Very adaptable and inquisitive, you are always open to new ideas and experiences. A "jack-of-all-trades", you are lively and versatile. Because of the high nervous tension that you always seem to have, athletic activity would be a good way for you to burn off energy. But be careful of a tendency to experience things only superficially—try to dig in and absorb things at a deeper level.

Michael Meets the Family

By: Paul S Cilwa Occurred: 1/29/1997
Posted: 2/25/2008		 Page Views: 4,506
Hashtags: #Humor #MichaelManion #LakeMassebesic #NewHampshire #WashingtonDC
How I introduced my new boyfriend to the rest of the family…and them to him.
Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s) (773 words)

We woke late on New Year's day, but I was determined to make the most of Michael's visit. So, after a quick brunch, we drove out to Lake Massebesic for the fresh air, the view, and the fun of walking on water.

Michael's Graduation

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 5/12/2006 Page Views: 4,943
Hashtags: #MichaelManion
Michael graduates for the second time this year.
Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s) (620 words)

Michael just graduated from Glendale Community College…for the second time.

If It's Spring, Michael Must Be Graduating

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 5/11/2007 Page Views: 6,268
Hashtags: #Arizona #MichaelManion
Michael gets his Bachelor's Degree from ASU.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (276 words)

It seems like every spring, my husband Michael has a graduation. Actually, he's had them in the fall, too. He had one last year, and one the year before. Or a few months before, I forget. Two of them were for Associates' degrees, obtained from Glendale Community College. This was a bigger deal, his Bachelor's degree from Arizona State University.

Dorothy Ann Hood Zembruski 1938-2007

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 9/21/2007 Page Views: 12,885
Hashtags: #Obituary #DorothyAnnZembruski
A celebration of the life of one of Michael's sisters.
Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s) (883 words)

One of my two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ann Zembruski, died unexpectedly September 19. She was 68 years old, and should have had many more years ahead of her.

Kidney Punch

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 12/27/2007 Page Views: 5,472
Hashtags: #Humor #Health
Michael is visited by my old friend, Kidney Stone.
Estimated reading time: 8 minute(s) (1840 words)

A week ago today (December 20), Michael went into the hospital to have a "procedure" done. That procedure is called a lithotripsy and its purpose was to blast, with ultra-sound, an unpleasantly large stone that had formed within his left kidney.

Have A Nice Lithotripsy

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 9/16/2008 Page Views: 5,493
Hashtags: #Humor #Medicine #MichaelManion
In which Michael has a blast.
Estimated reading time: 6 minute(s) (1423 words)

I spent today at the hospital with Michael as he got his third lithotripsy.

Michael Starts School

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 2/5/2010 Page Views: 5,614
Hashtags: #MichaelManion #SCNM #Naturopathy
Michael begins work on his doctorate in naturopathic medicine.
Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s) (969 words)

I've mentioned before that Michael intended to get his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. That's right…my husband, the doctor! This past Wednesday his classes started. The first three days consists more of orientation than anything else; and today, Friday, spouses were invited on campus to join in the celebration. I had to work in the morning but was able to join Michael in time for the Stethoscope Ceremony, in which Michael and his classmates were formally presented with his stethoscope, blood pressure monitor, and other essentials he'll be using in class for the next four years and, hopefully, for some years after that.

Michael's New Car

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 7/31/2010 Page Views: 4,807
Hashtags: #Michael
Michael gets a car of his own!
Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s) (563 words)

For the past three quarters of his medical school, Michael and I have been carpooling. Sounds efficient and green, right? But Michael's hours are different every day, making it difficult for me to work consistent hours at my job. And most days the Ford SUV wound up making two or even three trips between home and Chandler and/or Tempe. And so, it seemed more sensible for Michael to get himself a car of his own to "toodle" around in, as he put it.

Michael's 68th Birthday Party

By: Paul S Cilwa Occurred: 2/25/2018 Page Views: 1,442
Hashtags: #Family #GetTogethers #Michael #Gianna #Dominic
The family gathers to celebrate the Birth of a Papa.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (356 words)

It's time for Michael's 68th birthday. He doesn't look his age, to be sure, but we wanted to celebrate it just the same! Our daughter, Jennifer, offered to host the party and even to bake the cake!