Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad
I had the privilege of driving Mom and Dad from a small town in upstate New York to their winter residence in Zephyrhills Fl this past weekend. This has been an annual journey for the past 35 years.
I lived on the West coast for 24 of these years and re-united with them when Dad had a heart attack in 1999. I had returned from an extend stay in Michigan and went to bed at about 10:00pm. I awoke with hearing Mom yell George, (Dad’s name) at 2:00 am. One hour later my cell phone rang; it was my youngest brother stating Dad’s had a massive heart attack, my reply “I Know”. I called the airline, I had flow over 600,000 miles on during the previous 5 years. And said I need to get on the next flight, I will fly from San Francisco, San Jose, or Oakland, a flight was booked from San Francisco. I left at 6:00 am and arrived in Tampa at 3:00 pm. I immediately went to see Mom and she said I knew you would get here and I was not going to cry until you did.
Dad was transferred to a special cardiac unit in Tampa. He was upset he wasn’t transported by helicopter. A normal ambulance ride did not fit his personality. I spent the next three months in Florida, I was grateful I could. Daily visits and countless hours with Mom and finally Dad could travel back to “home”, upstate New York. I stayed for a few weeks and then returned to California. After resolving personal issue’s I was able to relocate to Florida with my coach, best friend, and my “why”, Denise. We decided to make our home in between both sets of parents. Many unfortunate things occurred during this time, because of “US” we survived and continue to do so.
Since then I have always volunteered to do the driving for Mom and Dad. My two brother’s share, however I ‘m selfish. Just like this last trip, I get them to myself for two and one half days, I hear many children of ages complain about “what about me”. I don’t have the time; I have other things to worry about. We all have 24 hours each and every day, and we choose how to spend those precious hours.
Where ever they want to stop we stop, and we never miss a rest area. Where ever they want to eat and spend the evening, we “Just do it”. The subjects of the conversations repeat daily if not more often, it’s ok. Dad is struggling with aging and dementia and Mom is showing symptoms as well. The most important fact is: we are communicating, parents become child like, the sky is livid blue, the sun rises each morning and this trip was even more special than the last.
Blessings come in many ways, when we are ready to receive, they happen

11/14/2008.