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at least two months ago, my dad asked me a question. He
LOVES history
and as much as he's tried to get me interested, I'm just
NOT. He has
been at his assisted living facility back in Maryland for a while now.
It's been hard on him at times, because he moved out of the family home
where he had lived for several decades. Anyways, you're probably
wondering what the question was, right?? Well, he asked me something
like, "something very important happened on December 7th, it's Pearl
Harbor Day." He went on to say that he was thinking of giving a talk to
the other residents about that day. This would involve him going to the activities coordinator and getting him on the monthly "schedule." He
asked me my opinion of what he wanted to do. Without hesitation, I
said, "
YOLO." He asked me what that meant. I told him "you only live
once!" My dad and I have had
lots of talks this year about the stroke he had a few years ago and me
getting diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma in January. When you are faced with your own
potential mortality, it can't help but change you. I think when
you go through that type of experience, you either become angry or you
are grateful for each day. My dad and I fall into the latter category.
Two days from now will be my 22nd wedding anniversary. The morning of my
wedding day, December 9, 1995, I spent the night at my parents house. I
couldn't sleep, so I went downstairs. My dad joined me and he and I
chatted for a while before everyone else got up. He told me recently
that he was thinking of that morning and how much it meant to him. Guess
what dad, it meant a lot to me too!
My dad will be 83 in March. I know
that I won't have him or my mom forever. The talk is at 2 p.m.
today and I so wish I could be there. A few weeks ago, he did the next
best thing, he read it to me over the phone. Since his stroke, he talks
slower, but that's fine. I have to say, his talk was really
interesting! He stopped every so often and said "you're probably bored."
I told him I wasn't . When he got done, I told him that I was proud of
him. It took a lot for him to go out of his "comfort zone," and I
recognize that. Last night, I wished him good luck. I know that my dad
will do great and I can't wait to hear all about it when I talk to him
tonight!! I love you dad.
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