His cough kept getting worse though. I tried to get him to go to the doctor or even the hospital but he insisted he wanted to wait until the next week for his scheduled appointment. Well, on Friday night I looked over at him about five minutes after he'd taken his sleeping pill. He had told me that it took about 45 minutes to take effect, so I was sort of surprised to see his eyes closed. We were watching the news and, in the middle of the sports, he mumbled something about them being a bunch of drug dealers. I asked him what he was going on about but there was no reply. I got up and shook him gently and he opened his eyes, smiled, and then fell back asleep. After that, no response... just a light snore.
The EMT people showed up in a short while and off he went to the hospital. Turns out his cough was pneumonia. He spent a week there and then went for some rehab at, wouldn't you know it, the same nursing facility that you were in. It was a long and strange fall, Mom. Dad got a little better but never got good enough to come back home. In fact, the idea sort of worried him. When he finally made the decision to stay, we came back here and pulled down all of his artwork from the walls and brought it over to the home. I tell you, the people over there were so impressed, he could have charged admission to his room. Every time I visited somebody stopped by to be amazed at this wall of beauty.
(Is this weird for you, chatting like this? I've tried to tell you some of this stuff when I'm in the car by myself, but I always end up in tears and have to stop. I just figured that maybe you should get the full update.)
Do you bother with looking at the weather anymore? Then maybe you know about the ice storm we had in December? It was crazy. Trees down everywhere. We didn't have power for over ten days. Good thing Dad was at the home because the temperature in the house hovered at just above 32. They had to run the home on generators for three days. Dad was not so happy without the TV.
Article comments
1 - Rob
This is a great album!
2 - Connie Phillips
I don't have the words that could really compare to what you've written here. What a wonderful, loving tribute.
Sending you some hugs this Mother's Day.
3 - Lisa Solod Warren
Beautiful tribute, my friend. I know you miss her.
4 - Mary K. Williams
very nice - wish i had your guts.
5 - Mat Brewster
That was lovely, Mark. Very moving.
6 - Linda Saleski
Yeah! We cannot really be so alone when they live with us in our hearts and minds. Each holiday allows us to feel their love once again. The Wife
7 - Jeff Mazza
Mark, I feel your pain. I miss my dad, your mom and dad and your sister Lynn. It has been a rough year. All I can do or say is that I love you man. Your my cousin and my friend and your parents were always my other set of parents. Linda "the wife" is right...they live on in our hearts and memories. You know how to reach me. We need to get together soon.
With Love
your cousin
Jeff