Has it really been a year since Dad left home? Seems hard to believe. As my children and I lie around the house with various forms of sickness this weekend, we have turned to one true source of entertainment...old home movies. What a treasure! To see Dad whole, with a full face and twinkle in his eye, to hear his voice, but most of all to hear him laugh, oh his glorious, contagious laughter!...it brings a smile to my face and a sting to my soul.
I even have a short clip of him just six months ago, it shocks me to see his decline since then. But that clip is still a treasure nonetheless as I have filmed him praying.
This kind of grief is so strange...it's like he's already gone, but I still have the privilege to be able to hold the warm hand of the man who is my father. Not the father I have known, but he is still my father, regardless.
It's been over a week now, since I've been to see him....boo, illness, go away!! Although, truly, for those we love, can anything, even death itself, ever separate us?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Dad in Tennessee
Dad was in Tennessee yesterday.
Emily spent an hour with him while other family members had a meeting with the staff and several times he referred to Tennessee.
He asked Emily if she had seen Wallace lately.
And as a picture of yesteryear hangs over his bed (directly in his line of vision), he is reminded of those he holds dear. The faces in the photo are of his parents, Luella, Viola, Cora, Virg and himself as a young man (with several pictures of his uniform-clad brothers framed on the wall in the background.) I believe it was taken on the occasion of a wedding anniversary.
Glancing up at the photo, he mentioned Luella to Emily. And Zovadia.
Often he will ask if anyone knows the where-abouts of his parents.
"Want some coffee, Virg?" was another comment.
He seemed comfortable and not distressed in any way to discuss his beloved family, so I am glad that these precious people are returning to him in his mind's eye.
Emily spent an hour with him while other family members had a meeting with the staff and several times he referred to Tennessee.
He asked Emily if she had seen Wallace lately.
And as a picture of yesteryear hangs over his bed (directly in his line of vision), he is reminded of those he holds dear. The faces in the photo are of his parents, Luella, Viola, Cora, Virg and himself as a young man (with several pictures of his uniform-clad brothers framed on the wall in the background.) I believe it was taken on the occasion of a wedding anniversary.
Glancing up at the photo, he mentioned Luella to Emily. And Zovadia.
Often he will ask if anyone knows the where-abouts of his parents.
"Want some coffee, Virg?" was another comment.
He seemed comfortable and not distressed in any way to discuss his beloved family, so I am glad that these precious people are returning to him in his mind's eye.
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