A Father's Illness

I spent most of the Thanksgiving holiday on the road. I drove up to my brother Steve's house on Friday. Together we rode up to NC to visit my father in the nursing home on Saturday. We spent some time with him in the morning. He looked quite ill and had lost a lot of weight. The prognosis is not good. Later we went back to my sister Mary's house, had a nice discussion with my Mom about Dad. We then went to Mass, saw Dad again one more time before Steve and I headed back to his house.

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to see my father, hold his hand, kiss is face and tell him I love him. He is still mentally aware, but worn down by years of Parkinson's and the various other infections and ailments he is dealing with now.

It was nice to see most of my family while being up there and to spend the drives to and from NC with my brother Steve. We are so blessed to have such a loving, caring family. We all get along so well and love spending time together.

The drive back home Sunday was long and I took Monday, my 42nd birthday, off from work so I could recover both physically and emotionally from the trip.

Now I just pray that God's Will be done with my father's health. He's led a good, spiritual and loving life. He has taught me to interact with my children at their level... something of which I have learned is a rare thing. He has taught me the correct priorities in marriage... God, spouse, children. He is a wonderful example, even now, of how to live one's life.

I hope he hears my prayers and they somehow relieve his burden.