Taken through the screen door....

“How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give 'em.”  Shel Silverstein 

I'm not sure where to start today.. So I'll start with my dad.. When I first got there, his caregiver was just finishing up taking care of him in the morning. As I sat down my dad said he was in a lot of pain, so I asked his caregiver and she said his medication was just given to him 30 minutes prior and should be taking affect soon.. My dad then told me he was afraid... At this point he held my hand tightly.. He was afraid of the Blue Angel's (a Navy aircraft performance team) as it took him back to Vietnam, he was afraid of chemical agents that was being used, he was afraid of letting go....

I asked if he wanted me to play some music for him. Jesus loves me yes I know was first song requested, then Amazing Grace some hymns and... We then talked about his time in Germany, how he and a friend got caught in a flash flood in France and floated his friends Volkswagen Beetle, how Switzerland wouldn't let him in because he was in his Army uniform and... (in the mid/late 1950's)

He then requested the song Michael row your boat ashore.. Michael is my middle name... Anyhow at this point for the first time in a very long time I shed some tears.. We both sang that song all the way through.. My dad did some mumbling but mostly we talked for 2 1/2 hours straight when he finally started to fall asleep and finally let go of my hand... The fear I saw in my dads eyes - something I won't forget.. 

He was sleeping so soundly, so peacefully almost like he was at ease when I left. I made sure to let his caregiver know I was leaving in case my dad woke up in fear again... Nobody said this journey would be easy - hell it sucks... but I hope beyond hope that all the time family and friends spend with him, hold his hand, comfort him and.. that is all helps him along... 

Spending Sunday evening with the fans on, watching the birds in the backyard and watching blips go by..