Saturday, September 9

Disconcerting Certainties

I just returned from Texas, spending the last week with my family. It was a fishing expedition to see for myself how Dad is doing, how Mom is handling the situation and what I can do to help.

Having spent 14 hours and 15 minutes alone in my car driving back to Tennessee, there are certainties that spoke above the hum of tires on asphalt:

Certainty - Dad is going to die, the "when" depends upon him, no matter how many pills the doctors prescribe or how many Mom pokes down his throat

Certainty - Parents are always going to assume the role of parent, no matter how much they need the help of their children.

Certainty - Whatever skills I learned working with people dying of complications from AIDS isn't helpful now...I thought it would be, but I was wrong.

Certainty - Kind, concerned and well-meaning people are going to ask what they can do to help...I honestly don't know, but keep asking.

2 comments:

TUFFENUF said...

I hope you can find the strength to get through this. It is one of the most difficult things in life - to lose your father. (a little hug to you from me)

Finding the Happy said...

Thanks for the cyberhug.