strange as it seems

[cowmilker]

My dad called last night to let me know that Grandpa had a mild stroke. Even though you acknowledge that your grandparents are old, it never really seems real until something like that happens. He's okay, still at the hospital for tests and observations. Still, I've always thought of my grandpa as being invincible; he's fallen off many a roof in his day; fell down stairs, out of trees; been kicked by his share of farm animals... it just really hits home now that he's in the hospital.

And I hate, hate, HATE, times like these, when my family needs me, and I'm not close enough to be of any use. It makes me feel that I'm not fulfilling my part, my role in the family.