Dad

I am not sure how I am going to get through this post but I know that it is necessary to write some of these things down.   Be gentle on me -- my mind is clouded, exhausted and over stimulated.  This entry is a bit more random and jumbled than normal.

On Wednesday evening my parents were in Denver to visit Sawyer and Eloise.  My dad was in immediate care because he was having a hard time breathing and overall just wasn't doing well.  He has been fighting some type of cold for the past 5-6 weeks but I think being in the high altitude made it harder to breathe.  Eventually they sent him to the ED and within an hour he was emergently intubated.  It's fair to say that the outcome looked grim.  He is very very sick and the care team here continues to tell us that we are working on an hour to hour basis.  Though I think we are all a little more optimistic than 24 hours ago -- we are all still very scared.  

So in honor of my dad I want to share a little bit about what makes him wonderful and unique. 

1. His LOOOOONG ass stories

My dad is man of few words.  Those that have met him or know him well would agree...but once you get him talking....he does not stop.  

Owen does the same thing and every time he begins a new story it reminds me of my dad.  I will say that usually his stories are pretty interesting overall and once you get him talking he is pretty passionate. 

2. He doesn't like to be touched

My dad is not a big hugger or liked to be touched by anyone.  My mom will disagree on this but to EVERYONE else he would rather just do a fist pump.  For example, if you try to share his food, he will stop eating it. It's just one of those wonderful quirks about my dad.

3. More of the random....

He loves science fiction books and reads all of the time and reads insanely quickly. 

Since his retirement he has had a strange obsession with the Dr. Phil show.  

He loves listening to musicals and has instilled the love of these songs in my children.  

He is great a mental math and has always tried to help those skills grow in his children and grandchildren.

He is brilliant with directions and from a young age tried to teach me as well.  I am no where close to his abilities but I think Owen might have the gift.

This one makes me laugh...but most of the time when I say, "Bye dad-- I love you" on the phone, he will respond with, "ok. bye."  Every now and then he will throw out an "I love you too." So when he does it always make me chuckle.  I want to be clear -- I know that my father loves me.  Very much.  It has never been a question.  I just wanted to write out one of his many quirks.  

4. He is a wonderful grandfather and father

It is pretty easy to feel the feels about my dad.  This man has been a constant, solid support throughout my life.  He is easy to be around, kind hearted and has the patience of a saint. 

Of course I love my dad -- he has been the foundation of my entire life.  It's these past 7 years that our relationship has grown like crazy for the obvious reasons -- I have grown up, I now have kids and we have traveled down a few tragic roads together.  I feel closer today than ever with my dad.  I feel like I am able to understand him as a father AND as a man.  I see him multiple times a week when he is helping with the boys and when they were little it was essentially like he was our "Manny."  My dad is absolutely fabulous.  Thank you for teaching me patience, for being the calm during all of our storms, and for simply helping me survive life.  I feel so grateful and so honored that he is my dad.

5. A safe trip to Denver

I was able to make it into town quickly.  My husband is un-freaking-believable and has been taking over the household since Thursday morning.  I know he can handle it and I know he is a beast but I also know how difficult and lonely it can be without your partner to share in the eye rolls and constant "go brush your teeth."  I am lucky that I am able to fully be present in Denver knowing that he has life in Indy under control.

The flight in was rough.  I actually thought that it was very likely my dad had passed away but my mom was not communicating with me.  She was barely texting and so I decided to just stop asking questions and just wait until I showed up.  When I landed in Denver the tears were flowing.  My seat mates even showed concern and offered prayers.  Something that I was grateful for during the flight was the sunrise coming up behind the plane.  It was absolutely spectacular.  My picture does it no justice but I would try and use the beauty to help calm my soul.

SUCH GREAT PROGRESS.  This relieved so much stress that I needed to add it to my blog somewhere.

This was my cot next to my dad's bed last night.  We have since moved into a different ICU room and my cot is not so close but I could not get over the fact that they were letting me stay in his room AND provided me with a cot.  Super impressed with this hospital system