Forgive me followers, it has been many months since my last blog post. Funny, how in times of overwhelming stress and worry, I am always thrown back to my Irish Catholic up bringing and thoughts of the priest in little dark box. Memories of the little girl trying to decide what sins she committed, the thought, the fear & dread of the act of confession far worse than anything I had ever done wrong.
I'm not one to dwell on the maudlin, more of a realist and straight shooter. But even for me, my father's failing health, lengthy hospitalization and subsequent life in a nursing home have put me in a tail spin, fighting to find a way to make the best of a bad situation.
I have spent countless hours, days & nights at the nursing home we jokingly refer to as the "Comedy Club". Somehow calling it that has made it bearable. After all, laughter is the best medicine and has been a part of my family as far back as I can remember. We've found humor in the crazy, funny in the unthinkable just to get through it. It gave our family hope, a familiar feeling in a very unfamiliar place.
Our hope has moved over and made way for acceptance. My father isn't getting better and slowly his diseased body is wearing him down. He's coming home next week so we can celebrate the moments. Now, life is all about moments.
We have no idea how much time he has left here on earth but we will fill each of his days with laughter, make every one his moments memorable.
And in his honor, and at his request, I begin my journey to finish the bucket list he couldn't. So join me as I hop in the RV and hit the open road with @rickgriffin and @ocdchick on the "The Mid Life Road Trip".
3 comments:
My love and thoughts are with you and I am honored to get to be a part of something your Dad loved so much. It IS all about the moments, but not just now. Always. Together we'll create new & happy moments that will go with us far into the future and we'll tell our kids and grandkids, "Do this. Don't waste time."
Although we all take seemingly unique and different paths in our lives, we are all headed to that same ultimate destination. The important thing is to enjoy all the experiences, each and every step of the way, and to delight in the company of those we bump into along the journey. Blessings to your father. Wishing you all the very best in the Mid Life Road Trip.
Dearest Sandi, My dad's been gone five years & I still miss him every day. I miss the silly messages he used to leave on my answering machine, the funny letters he used to write ("To my favorite daughter,"- I was his ONLY daughter,) and so many other little things. But the last moments you'll have are priceless. Treasure all of them, say whatever you want to say and know that your love will go with him and his will remain with you. Blessings to both of you. My thoughts and love are with you.
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