Dad and me Summer 2008
It has been two months since I posted, but I have "blogged" in my mind a hundred times at least. It has been over a year and a half since my Dad stepped into eternity. Mom has been shrinking of a broken heart since; and now metastatic cancer is shrinking her a bit more.
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Dad Late Summer 2008 (he was hunting for driftwood & beachglass for me)
There have been dozens of trips to doctors and tests and procedures... not unlike the last 15 or so years with she and Dad, and me as their medical "tour director" except I have asked siblings to join in this time. It is not about me needing help; it is about them getting to know Mom in a new way by being there with her on the front line.
It has all made me think of Dad more and more (as if that were possible). He always was my one true ally, friend, defender, secret-keeper, and comrade in this motley, lovely family I have been placed in.
We recently purchased "Matlock" on dvd and have been watching and smiling. You see, Dad had Matlock's hair and occasionally some of his expressions. We catch glimpses of "Papa" when we watch. Yesterday I realized it was Andy Griffith's ("Matlock") 84th birthday and I stumbled across a poignant music video of him with Brad Paisley called "Watin on a Woman"...
The aged Andy really does look more like my Dad as my Dad aged ... moreso than even Matlock did. The music video is warm, sweet, and heart wrenching as 'Andy' prepares for death and goes on ahead "waitin" for his woman to join him on the other side... he doesn't mind the wait... he wants her to take her time getting there.
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10 comments:
Oh Katey I'm sending you such a big ole hug my dear. The video was just wonderful and I can feel the loss in your words. We just recently had a scare with my dad who turned 80 this year and I got to see what it was like to watch my mom prepare herself. Like to have broke my heart.
xoxo
Gail
*sigh* I hardly know what to say or where to begin. But....I know where you are right now. Wow....I don't even think I can finish this comment right now. Ummm, I'll try again later my friend.
Know that I am thinking about you and praying for you and your family:
Kim
Gerushia's New World
Katey, I love the pictures in this post. It is a lovely post. You're in my thoughts.
Call me anytime. Even if it's just to prank me if you want. <3
My heart goes out to you and I feel as though we are walking the same journey, just at different times. My father passed in 2007 and Mom became very ill not long after. She spent most of 2008 in the hospital and continues to recover. Her mom, my Grandmother, passed in 2008 and so Mom didn't really have a chance to grieve their passing since she was in recovery.
We're both going through that now together, but it's been an experience that has brought us closer. Perhaps we couldn't have handled the loss as gracefully at the time.
Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you...I don't know your exact journey, but I have been in a similar spot. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and experience as well as the great video (: Andy is a favorite...maybe Mom and I will watch the video together (:
Much love,
Michele
Oh Katey. I am so sorry to hear of your suffering. I too know what this is like. Remember you are loved and lifted up by so many. I am praying for you and your mom.
Anna~
hugs and more hugs.
and then some more.
Ay ay ay... I read this with a lump on my throat.
The pictures are wonderful ducky.
Some moments in life are sweet, and other times are just plain hard and heavy.
I don't know what else to say except that I send you a big hug.
Your dad sounds like he was a lovely man..he would be very proud of you I think..your mom must miss him dreadfully and I think she must be very proud of you too.
It's not easy this circle of life is it? Loss is a horrible, nasty, dirty, ugly thing. I wish we (you) didn't have to go through it.
Thank you for loving your mom and dad. ((missD)) x
2011 follow-up:
Mom died October 6, 2010 - almost exactly two years after Dad. Their birthdays were almost exactly two years apart as well (in February). Mom actually died at the exact same age as Dad did - within about 12 hours.
I am still on the journey of loss - it was so much more than the two of them (and an older brother who died in between) - so much more.
God is sovereign & merciful and that is where I am living and abiding.
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