We left Abilene this afternoon and have stopped for the night here in Texarkana after a very uneventful drive…so far! Leaving daddy was absolutely heart breaking. It was hard saying good bye to mom but saying good bye to dad, who is among the living, was pure torture for me. He misses mom so much and one of the last things he told me was that he’s so lonely and then began crying. Needless to say, my tears flowed, too.
Yesterday dad was saying he couldn’t breathe, was occasionally coughing deeply within his chest, said his legs wouldn’t work, and his appetite was limited…so, he was taken to the ER to check to see if he might have pneumonia. They said his lungs were clear but he seemed to be retaining a little to much water so was given some lasix, and was told to get more exercise each day. Today he was still concerned about his shortness of breath and the limited strength in his legs, but I’m praying this will improve soon.
We took him to Hillcrest for church this morning and that didn’t seem to really impress him…I became an emotional wreck during one song because all I could envision was being there for mom’s funeral. I really appreciate the preacher and he was attentive to dad…had an excellent sermon, too. I was hoping he’d be glad to see some of the people…several spoke to him…but he really wasn’t. He didn’t want to go to class and said he’d wait in the hall if we wanted to go. Well, we took him home and we went and packed up our stuff and checked out of the motel. We went back to his place and got him for lunch…went to the Lydal (sp) Steak House and he ate less than 1/2 of his meal. We got him back to his room…all the while he was saying he wouldn’t make it ’cause of his legs. I kept encouraging him to keep going, since that’s what he’ll have to do when he’s there alone, and he really was weak and huffin’/puffin’ by the time we got there. He was really glad to get in his chair again. I don’t know if he’ll ever be happy again and his memory is getting less and less. My prayer is for The Lord to come quickly and take him home. I cry every time I think of him, the situation he’s in, and the sadness on his face. With his mental state like it is, I really don’t see any way he’ll get much better, or ever be happy again.
Lorin and Patsy are making good progress on their house. I love their new cabinets and I’ve never seen so many drawers in one kitchen. They get the counter tops this week and the flooring will be in before long, too. Sure gonna be nice and they’ll love having the openness of it all.
Guess that’s about all for now. I’ll let you know all the rest of the fun stuff we’ll do between now and Wednesday once we get home…and have done it! Have a great week. Please pray for daddy and that he’ll find comfort and peace. We’re thankful that Linda Lou is finally improving and able to get out some…back surgery is never good but 3 times in just weeks of each other is way to much. Remember Linda and Jim as they are in their last month of being in Vienna…been a good time so far and the students have done well. Life is busy but we must all take time to slow down and enjoy each precious day we’re given. Love to all!
Blessings….
