Parents

Hey. I'm still around. Haven't had much
time lately to sit down, relax, and post.
Days are longer during the summer, but for
some reason mine are getting shorter.

For those of you reading this blog, I guess
you noticed I titled this as, 'Parents.' To those
of you who don't have your parents anymore,
I apologize cause I honestly don't want to make
you feel bad because of what I'm fixing to write.

A few days ago, I had the privilege of driving my Dad
to the doctor. First time I have had to do this.
Well, if anyone knows Mother, she felt she had
to come too. Which, I knew she would. What was she
going to do at home but just worry while we were gone.
It really felt odd. I don't know why. I'm guessing
cause it was the first time for me to actually do
something for them, simply because they were just not
able to do for themselves this time. Well, this time
and from now on it looks like. I knew that one day they
would be getting older and would be hard for them
to do things they were used to doing. In other words, they
were going to loose their independence. They knew it
and so did I. But, it seems like it got here sooner than
expected.

To those of you that still have your parents, please don't
make the mistake I've made. I was always too busy raising
my kids and taking care of my own family. Which when
you marry, that's to be expected right? But, always, always,
please try to put some time aside for your parents. I realize
lots of time it's really hard to do, when distance is involved,
but maybe more phone calls, send them an unexpected card,
a package in the mail, anything that you know will put
a smile on their faces. Something, anything just as long as they
know they are loved and appreciated. I've always lived
next door to my parents, and had the opportunity to visit
with them regularly and I missed the chance, simply because
of the fact that they were right next door, and I knew they
were fine.

Taking half a day to just visit, drink coffee, or just sit outside
and listen to them tell stories about when they were young,
their memories of their own families. I remember a few
times when my Dad would get so excited just taking about
his childhood, friends, and when he was courting my mom.
Those were stories that put a glow in his eyes and a big smile
on his face. The same goes for Mom. She used to tell stories
of her growing up, her wedding day, going to a catholic school
and many, many more stories. I remember laundry day at
our house, we used to have to go into town to do laundry, and
then come home and hang out all the clothes on a clothes line.
Mom would sing songs to my sister and I, she'd dance and pick
up alot of dust. She was so young and so happy. She is now
so fragile, small and thin. What's worse is that she has developed
dementia, and cannot remember all her stories, songs, friends, and
the things that used to put those big smiles on her face. It's too
late now. I feel I've missed alot. Just because I didn't make
enough time for them. I'm glad God still has me here to look
after them now that they need someone. I feel I will never repay
them for what all they did for me, which I know they don't expect
it, but I'm one that has always been sick of serious illnesses and
always wondered wondered how the hell I recovered so quickly
after each one. I feel that God does have a plan for each of us.
I know now what his plan is for me. Yeah, to be around for the
old folkies, to watch after them, drive them to their appointments,
take them for their haircuts, etc. Please don't make the mistake
I made. God has given me a second chance of making time for my
parents, don't wait as long as I did. Trust me, it'll bring alot of tears
if you don't.