Monday, June 14, 2010

A Funeral To Attend

I thought I'd post this before I head out the door.  Do you like funerals?  I really don't.  But since my Dad has requested me to go, I go.  I really don't even know this person.  It's one of my Dad's cousins that he hasn't seen in a bizillion years and whom I've never even met.  It's for the son of one of my Grandma's sister's kids.  But when Dad makes a special request, I do it, because I don't know how many more events he will even be able to attend. He is getting very frail.  He knows it, but he has such courage in his ever-growing weakness.  My hat goes off to him in the face of his own inevitable mortality.  My mom has been gone for a year and a half and I know it has been so lonely for him. He had a pacemaker put in before she died because he wanted to be around to take care of her until she died, which he did.  So the pacemaker has kept his own heart going but he continues to get weaker and weaker.  His legs will give out on him unexpectedly for no reason.  And he gets really tired very easily.  Yet he continues to put in full days at work.  He owns condos that he rents out and he does all the maintenance himself.  When someone recently moved out, of course the place was trashed.  (Why do so many renters trash where they live?) So he has completely redone everything himself--replaced the horrible kitchen counters, fixed the broken dishwasher, put in a new microwave, painted the rooms, put in new linoleum, re-done the garage, etc. etc.  He is amazing!  I hope that I have the motivation he does when I get to be in my 80's. 

But today, I'll be at a funeral.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Us (My sister, Laura, Dad and me before heading to the funeral

6 comments:

scrilla said...

Sniff, sniff, dear old Dad...how we love him.

Chastina said...

What a great example! He is the type of person I want to be.

Covnitkepr1 said...

Earthly goodbyes are so hard now...but the heavenly hellos...ahhh.
I’ve enjoyed looking over your blog. I came across it through another blog I follow. I am now a follower of yours as well. Feel free to look over my blog and perhaps become a follower as well.

le Chef said...

He reminds me of my dad. Not as frail, but not quite as strong as he still tries to be.
Sorry to hear about the renters. Shame on them for leaving that mess for him.

Unknown said...

Oh we had a similar experience with renters. They can be just nasty! Thank you so much for visiting The Foodie Mommie! I am following you back!
Elizabeth
www.foodymommy.blogspot.com

Sandra said...

Hi Helena, thanks for popping by my blog...sorry to be narcissistic, it's just part of my charm! I'm going to hop over to your other blog now, check that out, and follow you there as well. Take care,
Sandra