Moments of a lifetime Money cannot buy

My father has an unusual medical condition, Inclusive Body Myosytis - a chemical imbalance in the brain that deteriorates the voluntary muscles. It has many stages, some progress to where my father is and others stop.  This form affects more males than females and they do not know if it is hereditary or not.  The form the women get can be reversed.  My father's progression over the last 15 years has led to a feeding tube and a trek.  He goes on a ventilator at night.  He cannot talk unless we cover the trek or he is still on the vent.  He does not like to do this as it causes too many secretions.  So after swallowing his pride, he has learned to adapt.  Two years ago this August we brought him home from the hospital pre-hospice.  He was not expected to live until Thanksgiving.  I believe it is the love of his wife and children that has allowed him to remain with us each day. Each morning we wash and dress him, hoyor lift him to his beautiful wheelchair - his "Cadillac".  From there he goes on the computer for the day - sending emails to his 13 children and 30 (so far) grandchildren.  He researches tidbits for us, doing what he can to make our lives easier (maybe so we can spend more time with him???? ).  There were also goals in his life that I also believe helped him stay with us little longer.  That first Thanksgiving, his youngest daughter was due to give birth to her first child.  Watching Sean grow over the year brought continuous smiles.  The following June (2007) he would be celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with his Bride Jean.  That morning was so beautiful.  I had done the overnight with him so I got to witness the ULTIMATE in true love.  Before taking him off the vent, he asked his wife to take his left hand.  In doing so, he looked up at her, smiled, shone those baby blue eyes and said "I do".  We donned him in a tux, traveled several blocks to church where they renewed their vows.  My mother, in her words that can bring tears to those that never show emotion, looked at her husband of 50 years and said " If I could relive these 50 years I wouldn’t change a thing - I love you and the life you have given me."    A life that went from being daddy’s little girl to raising  13 children,  helping with the grandchildren,  caring for her aging parents to being her husband’s fulltime caretaker.   No wonder I turned out so well.  What great role models.  

Published Friday, June 06, 2008 8:58 AM by Astarte