Reunions
Families who live close together have the opportunity to see each other on a regular basis. Those who live miles, even states, apart, don't. My cousins were born and raised in Alabama ... Cousins on both sides of our family, actually. Bill and I grew up in Tennessee, Texas and back to Tennessee, so visiting with family wasn't always the easiest thing in the world to do. People die, others divorce, kids grow up and go off to school and begin their own lives. Before we know it, it's been decades since we've been in contact with our relatives. Thanks to Facebook, that has changed for our family.
I don't even remember when, but I located one of my cousins and sent him a friend request. I was thrilled to pieces when he accepted it and we started communicating. Back in September during a visit to Maryville, Conrad and I had to drive over to Memphis for a business meeting. The idea crossed my mind that perhaps we could plan to meet my cousin and his wife either on the way over there or on the way back. We worked it out to meet at a restaurant and ended up staying something like three hours catching up! That was an amazing experience and I wouldn't take anything in the world for it!
Well, today we got to share a similar experience with mom, dad, Bill and Christy. I cannot even begin to guess how long we spent together today, but the time spend is irreplaceable and priceless. We talked about things we did as kids ... Things my mom and his dad did when they were young ... We recreated family trees ... Dug up old skeletons, and shook out the cobwebs, and cleared the air on family matters. I'm not afraid to say this ... I cried. It was a very emotional time, and I'm so very glad we got to spend this time together. Thank you, Monroe and Kathy, for spending the day with us!!! We love you both dearly!!
We are already talking about future gatherings and finding time to meet their daughters. I'm hoping we can rent a cabin in the mountains or something and spend some quality time together.
Oh yeah ... This is supposed to be about dad, isn't it!?
Dad was quite alert today. His television was on and his blinds were open ... Quite an improvement over the last few days! His doctor said his lungs are clearing and his breathing has improved enough to be taken off the ventilator again, so at noon the process began. At 5:00 he was doing very well and continuing to breathe on his own. That's a good sign!
We are guessing he might be moved back into the oncology unit sometime tomorrow. We shall see. If I were a betting person, I'd bet he will be having radiation tomorrow, if they move him in time. As usual, I'd prefer to escort him down there so I can watch him like a hawk afterwards. I will be forever nervous about him being in the hallway unattended waiting to be transported back up to his room.
Dad is talking better. His coughs are strong. He's constantly wanting ice chips. He's watching us. He's smiling. He's staying awake longer. He's alert. Baby steps. That's what this is all about. We always want giant strides in progress, but the graph of progress in recovery is almost never a straight upwards diagonal line ... There will be ups and downs. We are hoping and praying for a lot more ups (progress) than downs.
My stay in Tennessee will soon be drawing to a close. I've been here for five weeks. I've worn the same two pairs of shoes every day. I've bought new tops and jackets because I wasn't able to pack everything I might need. I've only been to Knoxville twice during this entire trip. And, I can count on one hand how many times I have been with my friends. This has been a long, difficult road, and the end isn't anywhere in sight. Our family all knows this and we are more than willing to go through it together ... For and with dad.
I've not even gotten back to my home, my husband, my cats, and my California friends, but I'm already thinking about the next reunion with my family. Please keep us all in your prayers. Pray for strength and healing for my dad so that he will be greatly improved when I come back to Tennessee. Pray for focus and wisdom for the medical team to properly care for and treat dad. Pray for strength, courage, and patience for our family.
Love. Hope. Faith. Strength. Wisdom. Patience. Family. Passion. Compassion. That's really what life is all about.
Getting some attention from his nurses earlier today.
A great visit from my cousin, Monroe and his precious wife, Kathy.
Dad's view of family members today. My cousin, Monroe Jones and his precious wife, Kathy, drive over today for a visit. We are thinking the last time we all got together was back in 1979. We love you both!!!!!!
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