The perfect metaphor

During the last week of this past August my Dad found out he had Colorectal cancer. But as he awaited treatment details in the subsequent month and a bit since being diagnosed, the less dire everything seemed to be. His doctor’s weren’t rushing back to him with any news. And when they finally did, they were pretty confident their prescribed treatment — being major surgery — while still very serious, would eradicate the issue. I gathered he just wanted it over with. Dare I say it, we all did?

Then along came the day prior to Hallowe’en, the day of his surgery. While it ran long, it was successful. However his initial recovery was slow. And the following Tuesday morning, while involved in his “physio,” if I may label it as such, he had what his doctor labelled a “cardiac event.”

Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking to place blame on anyone. But everyone involved in his care after this occurring wasn’t entirely clear on what had happened. Or what was continuing to unfold. His doctor being chief among “everyone.” Point being, “why” is no longer a question I’m particularly interested in asking anymore. I’d much rather focus on the way in which my Dad handled things which he was dealt. Whether it was how he immediately put his entire life on hold when I needed an advocate, or how he passed from this world.

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Ridiculously Loved and Sorely Missed

A photograph of Freddy

I’ve been thinking about this post for near about a week. And I’ve been trying to write it for, what must be, a few of days, now. The more I think and write about how I feel, the more forced and insincere, I think, it seems. So I’m just going to write and hope I get down all I want to say…

My dearest friend, Freddy, passed away last Thursday morning, June 11th, 2009. Just as quickly as he came into my life, he was gone…

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The World Has One Less Hero

This morning my Grandmother passed away. I don’t have much detail at this point, but if the last two weeks are any indication, she finally fell victim to a long and painful bout with Alzheimer’s. A nasty, unrelenting disease.

What could I ever hope to say about such an inspirational figure in my life? Except, of course, I love you so very much and you will be sorely missed. Plus I’d be remiss not to highlight something I’ve already said;

“I am the person I am because of the people they are. Growing up I’ve witnessed my Grandparents having to face peoples often misguided expectations. And although they never showed one bit of frustration towards peoples unawareness they had every right to be irritated. Ignorance of peoples feelings is purely a reason for treating people indifferently. It’s NOT an excuse…”

Or in other words, not only was my Grandmother an important half of an unstoppable team of personal motivation, she was so much more. She was an image of an individual who had lived with difficulties most, all but 7 years, of her 84 year stint on this planet. I can’t help but feel great sorrow for all she represented and, much more pressing is, what we’ve lost…

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