Sad
My dad suffered a sever stroke a week ago Monday. He was put in ICU and I was able to get to him in Detroit on Wednesday. He passed away quietly that evening. The doctor said his pulse had been strong all day until about ten minutes before I got there. I think he was waiting for me.
Needless to say, I've been in quite a whirlwind trying to get everything arranged. I believe by tomorrow I will have everything taken care of. We had a lovely memorial on Sunday at the independent living apartments where he lived. Truly, my dad was known and loved by everyone. He was 91 and still had his faculties up until last Monday.
I know not everyone here has religious beliefs, so I try to keep my mouth shut about mine, but I have felt very peaceful during this whole thing. His memorial was exactly what I wanted. I got the opportunity to say a few words and sing a hymn. The Rabbi (my dad was Jewish) gave a beautiful eulogy that accentuated how happy he made everyone instead of how sad we were about losing him, and that's exactly what I wanted. I'm sad he's gone, but I know I will see him again. His death was just the loss of his body, I felt his spirit with me in the room even after they pronounced him.
Now, the sad part is that I've been living with the elderly for a week. I find that almost more depressing than my father's loss, and I'll explain why. These lovely people all had normal lives just like you and I. They were young and vital. Some... a few... still are vital. However, there are so many here who suffer from dimentia or other ailments that make them only half of what they were. My dad's girlfriend of seven years is one of those. She's almost 98 and took her teeth out right in front of me at dinner tonight. She sometimes doesn't know what's going on around her, or obsesses about her salad. I knew her when she was vibrant, and it's just sad to see. What's also sad, is that we will all someday be like her, possibly. I hope I'm more like my dad, vibrant and aware until the end. But who can tell?
Sorry to be a wet rag here. My next update, which will be gushing with praise for my sshg gift, will be posted shortly. I wanted that to have its own limelight instead of being buried in this dismalness. My point here, though, is that if someone you know falls into this elderly category, give them some understanding. I've seen a lot of nastiness or just nonchalance towards these people this week. I don't think anyone would want their mother or father treated that way.
Needless to say, I've been in quite a whirlwind trying to get everything arranged. I believe by tomorrow I will have everything taken care of. We had a lovely memorial on Sunday at the independent living apartments where he lived. Truly, my dad was known and loved by everyone. He was 91 and still had his faculties up until last Monday.
I know not everyone here has religious beliefs, so I try to keep my mouth shut about mine, but I have felt very peaceful during this whole thing. His memorial was exactly what I wanted. I got the opportunity to say a few words and sing a hymn. The Rabbi (my dad was Jewish) gave a beautiful eulogy that accentuated how happy he made everyone instead of how sad we were about losing him, and that's exactly what I wanted. I'm sad he's gone, but I know I will see him again. His death was just the loss of his body, I felt his spirit with me in the room even after they pronounced him.
Now, the sad part is that I've been living with the elderly for a week. I find that almost more depressing than my father's loss, and I'll explain why. These lovely people all had normal lives just like you and I. They were young and vital. Some... a few... still are vital. However, there are so many here who suffer from dimentia or other ailments that make them only half of what they were. My dad's girlfriend of seven years is one of those. She's almost 98 and took her teeth out right in front of me at dinner tonight. She sometimes doesn't know what's going on around her, or obsesses about her salad. I knew her when she was vibrant, and it's just sad to see. What's also sad, is that we will all someday be like her, possibly. I hope I'm more like my dad, vibrant and aware until the end. But who can tell?
Sorry to be a wet rag here. My next update, which will be gushing with praise for my sshg gift, will be posted shortly. I wanted that to have its own limelight instead of being buried in this dismalness. My point here, though, is that if someone you know falls into this elderly category, give them some understanding. I've seen a lot of nastiness or just nonchalance towards these people this week. I don't think anyone would want their mother or father treated that way.