Ok First Seinfeld, then Friends and now Raymond!!! I think the only shows left are crime investigations. LOL
Raymond's last episode was kind of disappointing to me- I expected some grand departure. All the same it was a good episode:
Raymond needs his adnoids(sp) removed and wants a second opinion- though Debra reminded him he is on his third opinion. Marie sides with Ray- she doesnt want her baby going under the knife. Flash to the hospital- Marie is worried to death and upset that everyone else is goofing off as if nothing were wrong. She made Robert come to the hospital in case Ray needed blood. Marie leaves the waiting area ( I dont know why- my daughter just had to tell me about something. LOL) While Marie is gone a nurse asks to speak to Debra. Is Raymond allergic to anything he may have forgotten to mention? It seems he is not coming out of the anesthesia. (sp) Debra dissolves into tears and Robert panics trying to go into the OR, calling Ray's name. As Frank tears up the doctor comes out and tells them Ray did in fact wake up and he is fine. Debra is so relieved as she hugs Amy! Immediately though she realizes that if Ray or Marie know what happened, or almost happened, to Ray they will never hear the end of it. The four make a pact not to ever tell them.
Debra realizes how fragile and fleeting life is. She breaks down crying to Ray yet doesnt admit to what happened. He thinks its her hormones. LOL They began making out. Meanwhile Frank too realizes what could have happened. In bed he touches Marie's shoulder but not for hanky panky. In his own way he is trying to tell her that he is glad they are together and that he loves her. Marie is suspicious and he breaks the pact. Upon hearing that she almost lost her baby she rushes to Ray and Debra's and throws herself on the bed between them. Ray is told what happened at the hospital. He begins to think he may have suffered brain damage or something and swears he is walking crooked. Marie has him hop on one foot- flash to Ray hopping, rubbing his belly and patting his head as Robert and Amy walk into the bedroom. Robert makes a comment about watching Ray do this is going too far or something.
Deb tells them that Ray and Marie know the truth. Ray wants to know what was going through everyones head during that 30 seconds he was "dead". He wonders if Deb was planning his funeral and realizing she could date again. Frank inetrrupts telling Ray that Deb broke down and was hurt and he for one nevers wants to see her like that again. (my daughter came in again so I dont know if Robert admitted to his reaction or not.) Marie still doesnt want to leave Ray's side- she finally does. (me- "Alexis Raymond has been on for 10 years and this is the last show- please leave me alone for 10 minutes." Alexis "mom it will be a repeat one day and you can watch it then. " LOL)
Flash to Deb and Ray making out again.
Flash to the next morning when everyone is at Ray and Debs having breakfast and getting along. Robert is teasing Ray that is voice is still annoying even with the surgery. Ray is teasing Robert and Doris and Deb appear to be getting along and cooking in harmony. (?) Even the kids are around the table- sitting beside the adults, on their laps, etc. Flash to the closing credits.

I was disappointed that the cast didnt even have a thnak you for watching us all these years or something. It was still a good show and I too feel a connection to them - I will miss them.

Oh, I love that show!!! The only show I really look forward to every week(I can take or leave most other programming), and it's ending! Even though we'll be home, I'll probably tape it. We have a baseball game that should get over by 7:30 but trying to get the kids to shower and get to bed before it starts will be difficult. Plus they always seem to know when I really want to watch something and they come down with assorted aches, pains, and worries that need my immediate attention.

How about inviting him to your home or a favorite restaurant for dinner with your family? Have your child make him a handmade card expressing how much he has appreciated his help and support, add a bouquet of flowers and give them to him that evening. He may have all the material things he could want, but obviously he loves being around children so give him the opportunity to enjoy your family.

I like the idea of flowers however maybe a plant would be better as it will last longer. Or get some plaster and do your sons footprint inside of a heart and say something like -" you have stepped into our hearts". Or do his hands and say "hand in hand together".
Of course I'm hungry right now so a gift certificate to a local restaurant sounds good too. LOL Really though anything that comes from the heart will be cherished I'm sure!

Walmart has make your own stepping stones kits and they come with everything and you can personalize them too. We have a volunteer that reads to a KG class and buys those students books at the end of the year and the teacher wrote a nice message for him on a banner and had all the kids sign it.

For someone who can buy anything, the trick is to find something he can't buy. Do you have a pottery place somewhere nearby? We have the Playful Potter and you can have each of the children sign a large platter and then it's painted and cooked.
You could also start an award in his honor- Perhaps a sixth grade student who has shown great love, compassion, philanthropy- on a plaque bearing his name-
for example- "The John Doe Community leader award" or something like that.