A year ago, today, as the world was anxiously watching their tv’s for news on the Presidential election, my family was anxious for another reason. My Dad had been admitted to Kaiser hospital where he would spend the next 3.5 weeks fighting pneumonia, be transferred to a nursing home where he would spend five days and then peacefully enter heaven on December 7, 2016.
The days that followed my Dad being admitted to the hospital were a blur of visiting him, getting my Mom to and from the hospital, meeting with Drs. and relaying information to family and friends, all while dealing with watching and hearing the wide range of emotions and reactions to the election results. Needless to say, my life was filled with emotions and decisions I was not accustomed to experiencing.
My Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimers nine years ago and in his last year of life we had seen the most drastic decline in his short term memory - it was now about 5 minutes or less. He still remembered my mom and loved her dearly and bantered and joked with her daily. He also knew all seven of his children and loved spending time with us. During this hospital stay his memory was definitely sketchy and he would sometimes know his kids, and sometimes not, or get us confused with one another.
What I found fascinating were the stories he would tell us about days long ago. He would tell them while fidgeting with his activity blanket the nurses had given him to help calm him down and keep him from constantly trying to get up and “out of there!”. I am convinced that in his mind, he was there on the assembly line, or working on a project and it was all very important work. My father had an incredible work ethic that I admire to this day. He liked making his lists and found great satisfaction when marking items off his lists. I have inherited that list making satisfaction gene from him and it makes me smile knowing that I will always have that connection with him. One of many I cherish.
The part that fascinated me about these stories, were the details and then length of the stories. He would talk and talk for over 20 minutes sometimes. I honestly do not know if they were accurate, and frankly, I don’t care. He was so into them, and spending time with us, which was his favorite thing to do. Family always came first. This was a vast difference from the stories he would tell us before the hospital. They were much shorter and not of such detail, and he’d repeat them again and again within minutes. His favorite was the story of how he and my Mom met. I’m so thankful that my sister, Joanie, captured him telling that story on video, so that I can go back and smile while listening to him tell it and hear his voice again. He loved and adored my Mom. Their love is another thing I will always cherish.
My sister, Joanie, posted on facebook this morning about my Dad entering the hospital a year ago today. Her words are beautiful and I’d like to share them here:
“This came up on memories today as I was beginning my day remembering that this day, a year ago, was the day my Dad went into the hospital; the last day he would be at home with my Mom. I sometimes think this was God’s way of transitioning for my Mom. Dad would still spend another month here on Earth, but Mom would begin to be at home without him, but still see him every day. When God called him home to Heaven a bit later, Mom had had some time to adjust without a sudden taking of the man she had lived life with for all her life. God was gentle on her heart and I take great peace in that. Love you, Dad. Miss you.”
Today I am thinking about my Dad in heaven, but it is my Mom who I have been carrying in my thoughts all day. She is one very strong woman! I admire her. I love her. I hope to be just like her one day.
