We visited my stepfather last night. I'm still coughing and my ears are still popping and doing weird things, but the worst of the cold is well over and the time of contagion is past. We took him to dinner and had a few fun hours. It's kind of surreal -- he is 95 now, and the sight of him makes me nervous. He's... shrunk! There's no other way to put it. He used to be a robust, fit man of 6' 2", about 195 pounds. Now he weighs 149 and his body looks like a bundle of sticks and twisted pipe cleaners. Hugging him feels like hugging a skeleton. But he's still sharp and funny, can hold up his end of the conversation just fine, and he's a joy to be around. I gave him a card that read: "Our family may not be perfect"-- (oh brother, is that the understatement of the year) -- "but the best thing about it is that you're in it." That's the truth.
I think I've told every anecdote I can think of about my father over the years in these blogs, and my bleary congested brain can't come up with anything new right now. So I'll just do my usual -- post an old picture and send my love out to Dad's essence; always with me, because he's always in my head and heart.
My 18th birthday -- forever ago.
Seeing Steve on Tuesday instead of tomorrow. So I have another day for recovery. I may even attempt a visit to the gym; I have not moved a muscle for a week and a half. Trouble is, the least bit of exertion (and at this point, we're talking about laughing too hard) brings on a coughing fit. But I have to get back to my routines sooner or later. I'll take it easy, I promise.
Good night, Dad. ♥
That is a FANTASTIC photo! I know that young lady... I've seen her after a spanking before.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erica - especially since you have such great experiences with yours.
ReplyDeleteSo what is there to report about the gym?
Erica, you did yourself a mitzvah, in posting that beautiful photo of your father, and yourself. You can be proud of him, and he of his beautiful and intelligent daughter. Yes, Happy Father's Day to you. By the way did you see that testamonial dinner, the other day on TV, to Mel Brooks, when he achieved the Lifetime Achievment Award, with many of the old time comedians honoring him. It was quite an affair, and in my opinion a good one to. One of the participants was Sarah Silverman, who I believe is a Spanko at heart.
ReplyDeleteCraig -- I hope she didn't have 1970s hair. :-)
ReplyDeleteMrJ -- I am on my way there now, fortified with breakfast and coffee. Really don't feel like it, but I think I need to.
Six -- no, I didn't see the Brooks dinner, although I heard about it. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.
What a nice picture! To quote Jack Handy: "The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face" :) But I do love the smiles in the photo (mouth and eyes).
ReplyDeleteAnonymous -- thank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Erica -- I am so glad the worst of your cold is over :-)You are on the road to recovery YAY :-)What a WONDERFUL pic of you and your Dad,You both look so happy and i Love the smile's.YOU are a BEAUTIFUL person inside and out :-)Much Love and hug's from naughty girl Jade
ReplyDeleteJade -- to be honest, my horrible stepmother B was at the same table, so I guess I was a good actress! LOL So glad she's a part of the past.
ReplyDeleteCoughs are the worst, especially when it keeps you up. Glad to hear the visit with your stepdad went well.
ReplyDeleteLea -- why do the damn things always get worse at night?
ReplyDelete