Out Of The Blue

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Bringing Smiles to our Faces

Since Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is rearing its ugly head in my Daddy's life, we have been holding on to some of the moments and cherishing them. Sometimes the oxygen deprivation interferes with Daddy's thinking and things are a bit muddled for him. It isn't all bad, though. Sometimes it brings a smile to our face.

Earlier this week, on the day before Daddy came home from the hospital, I went to visit Daddy. As I was pulling into the parking area, I noticed that the HOT light was on in the window of the Krispy Kreme directly across the street. Yum! So, I pulled through and got a treat for Daddy. (and me!)

When I arrived, Mom had gone home to shower and freshen up before spending the night there. Daddy was napping when I entered his room. So, I waited quietly for a bit. Daddy awoke and immediately began wondering where Mom was and when she would return. I offered him a donut and he almost inhaled one.

We chatted for a bit and again Daddy wondered where Mom could be. The time passed and I finally offered to order Daddy's dinner.

Me: Daddy, what do you want to order for dinner?

Daddy: (Eating another donut) Read me that menu.

Me: (I read every...single...option.) What do you think you want?

Daddy: (Popping grapes in his mouth like eating popcorn at a movie theatre) I'm not sure. I've about had enough of sweets, though. (and began nibbling some grapes)

Me: Well what did you have for lunch? (I was thinking that we would shoot for variety. So, if he had chicken, we might get beef or pork.)

Daddy: Chicken... (Then, he opened his flip phone and began dialing.)

Me: Daddy, who are you calling?

Daddy: Your Mama. To ask her what I had for lunch because I cannot remember. Hey, honey. What did I have for lunch? Chicken...chips...jello, I don't really want any more of that jello...chocolate ice cream...what? OK. See you in a little while. (and he eats another grape)

Me: OK. What do you want for dinner?

Daddy: Well, I've about had enough sweets. I think I want some more of those chicken strips. They were pretty good. And some potato chips might be good. No more of that jello, though. I've about had enough sweets. (down goes another grape) I think I'd like to have a vegetable. What sort of vegetables are on that menu?

Me: (I read every...single...vegetable...again.) What do you think, Daddy?

Daddy: I'm not sure. (in goes another grape)

Me: Do you want some bread? They have cornbread, rolls, Texas toast.

Daddy: I'd like a roll...and some dessert...maybe some more of that chocolate ice cream. (pops another grape in his mouth)

Me: OK. Is that it?

Daddy: Let me see that menu....OK. I think I want some of those green beans. (and eats a couple more grapes)

I called the cafeteria to order and was put on hold for a couple of minutes. Then, I ordered...

Me: I'd like to order my Daddy's dinner. He would like chicken strips, potato chips, green beans, a dinner roll, and chocolate ice cream.

I pushed the button to hang up the phone.

Daddy: Aw shoot! I wish I'd told you to order me some of that jello!

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Read Across America!

In celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday, today is Read Across America Day. Is there a person who doesn't have a favorite Seussical book reference?

When I was prepping to write this post, I discovered Seussville where there are links to Seuss''s biography, video clips, activities and printables for lessons, and lots, lots more! Someday I'd love to take my grandchildren to the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden at the Springfield Museum where they truly have made Theodor Seuss Geisel a place for hands-on and feed-the-eyes interaction with the genius and his imagination. There is so much to learn about this literary genius! For example, most people don't realize that early in his career he was an illustrator who created "fantastical political cartoons in the early years of World War II," or how he took on Hitler.

As an educator, a reading specialist, and a lover of the written word, I encourage you to honor Read Across America Day today and read aloud to somebody - anybody!

Do a little reading…

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

Oh!

The places you’ll go!

(From The Places You'll Go!)

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Rights, Privileges, and Duties

I don't know if I've been ultra-introspective lately because of my stage of life or because of what is going on in my life.

Am I a product of what is going on or am I a product of what has come before?

I'm not really certain and I don't know that it really matters either way.

This is an election year.

We see advertisements and hear them and are bombarded by appeals to support one candidate or another.

I did as I almost always do during an election - I voted early.

When I 'became and adult' and reached the age to take part in our country's most important civil duty, my father impressed upon me how I should exercise this right each and every opportunity that I could.

He stressed that it is a privilege and is one of the most powerful tasks we have in our country.

He reinforced how important it was for so many people - especially women - who came before me and how they sacrificed to provide me that right.

Then, when every election would roll around during my young adult life, he would remind me to go and vote or would ask me if I had already voted in the early polls.

He taught me how to research and read and learn everything I could about each and every candidate and to vote for the candidate and not the party or the platform but to vote for the candidate.

Over the years, I've seen my Daddy's political views evolve and his attitude change. Yet, his early teachings have remained firm in my marrow and I still take the privilege of voting very seriously.

So, when early voting in my state was announced as open, I dug in and really studied the candidates to determine who deserved my vote.

After my preliminary investigations, my one thought was, "Is this the best that we as a country have to offer as our leader?"

Honestly, my reaction seemed more like, "We really have gone to hell in a handbasket."

I couldn't force myself to vote until that last day of early voting because I just couldn't support any one candidate with fervor.

Finally, with my father's voice ringing in my head, I went to the poll and clicked the button.

Even as I left the local polling place, I still felt concern about the future of our country if this primary represented our best, our brightest and our shiniest.

Then, a day or so later, I saw this post in social media by a former student with whom it makes me proud to know I had a few moments of interaction several years ago:

How many of y'all who vote for people, not parties, have absolutely no clue who to vote for? I didn't early vote because I have absolutely no clue. I do not feel any candidates represent the values of the general population. I do know Mrs. Clinton will not get my vote. As a woman, I feel she is an embarrassing opportunist. Otherwise she would have left her husband years ago for making her look like a weak woman who needs to ride on his coattail in order to be successful. Nah boo, go home. Real life house of cards. I don't share much on national politics but I'm just at a loss right now, and I'm curious if I'm not the only one.

After reading Lindsey's post, I felt such a strong pull to answer.

I realized that I had made a decision and felt comfortable with that decision and with my action.

So, I responded:

I, too, struggled to make a decision, Lindsey. However, I finally did all my 'studying' to determine who would be the better person for the job and clicked the button. I kept asking myself if this is all we as a country had to offer. Then, I began to look back at history and who our early leaders were - think Thomas Jefferson, for example. He helped to advance our country even as a flawed human being. Most of our early leaders were just that - strong advancers of our democracy even though they were flawed human beings. Listen and read and your heart will eventually guide you. You are a wise young woman and will think this through - I feel confident in that. If you listen to others, we will all have an opinion. Form one of your own and follow your heart. Then, even if we wind up choosing someone who disappoints us as a leader, that is nothing new but we do the best we have with what we've got at the time.

I truly feel that deep in my bones each and every person should exercise the right and privilege we each have as an American citizen. Get out there and vote on this Super Tuesday, friends!

Sunday, February 28, 2016

What Lies Within

I am writing this post as I sit beside my father's hospital bed looking out the window over the lights of the city at one o'clock in the morning.

I have spent the past few days thinking back.

I have spend the past few days anticipating the future and what it might hold.

I have listened.

I have cajoled.

I have followed along with my hands out, hovering, and at-the-ready to catch him if he stumbled.

I have focused to remain calm.

I have spoken with firmness.

I have spoken with compassion.

I have asked questions.

I have asked more questions.

I have laughed.

I have cried.

I have prayed.

Daddy was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

We have struggled to know how best to support him.

There is no good answer.

Maria Shriver's recent post resonates with me as I sit here beside my father's hospital bed looking out the window over the lights of the city at one o'clock in the morning.

Daddy and I both rest peacefully this night knowing that, "What lies behind us and in front of us is nothing compared to what lies within us."

Note: I will periodically post stories relating to Daddy's journey and ours as well. Please know that I am sharing out of love and compassion and want others to know that I am sharing not what has happened but what we have become as a result.