...more than once, actually. but to reference a little monty python, he "got better."
i don't really know where to begin to debrief from this little adventure. most of my readers probably are aware that my dad had a massive heart attack tuesday. and by massive, i mean darn near deadly. actually coded more than once and had to get defibbed as many as 20 times. had paddle burn on his chest. to say that we almost lost him is an understatement. so i am obviously grateful to the paramedics who shocked him back to life and the doctors and nurses who, quite literally, saved my dad.
he and i are pretty different. he is more traditionally "man" than i am. likes to fix stuff. watches lots of chuck norris. i, on the other hand, read books. and am fantastically unhandy when it comes to home or auto repair. (but i do like sports, so don't think i am girly)
but i guess all this has helped me realize that i am proud to have the man as my dad. funny how not being sure i would have him makes me appreciate him. but, chuck norris fandom notwithstanding, he is a good man. loves my kids like crazy, and tells me he loves me most every time we speak. and that means something. so, thanks, dad, for being a good father and for not dying on us.
life hands you these opportunities by way of difficulties often. i never thought when i woke up butt-early (see: new job) on tuesday that an ill-placed blood clot would almost take my father from this earth. but i guess it has given me (and others) a chance to consider some things. i saw again how God so often uses other people, and not magical, metaphysical, warm and fuzzy feelings, to support us. talented and focused paramedics and doctors, sure. but also family and friends and neighbors who prayed, sat with us at the hospital, and cared. and i think that is a powerful example of how God ministers to us.
maybe the moral of this story, though, is this: if you have a dad (or mom, or brother, or sister, friend, cousin, wife, husband, or anybody) and you can stand them, let them know you love them. whatever makes us different or separates us can surely not be as big of a deal as we make it out to be. and if it is, focus on those that do matter in your life. because you never know...
6 comments:
beautiful....that's about the only word i can think to describe what you wrote....beautiful!!
i'll second that...
Great post bro! Paddle burns?, 20 times? My God your dad IS Chuck Norris! Glad to hear he's doing better though.
Very well said Andy. I hate how it takes things like this to make us realize what the people we know really mean to us. It shouldn't be that way. I'm glad your dad is ok.
Andy, you are so awesome. I love you. It really made me feel better to see your dad. I can not believe what a trooper he is. I kept telling him he was just too mean and stubborn to go. Sorry I did not get to see you guys on my short trip. But I love you all!
I also like the Monty Python reference. That part in that movie is hilarious. Although I admit I was taken by surprise when I first read your title. "WHAT? DID I NOT HEAR ABOUT THIS YET?"
Anyways, I was relieved when I actually read the post. Just don't scare me like that again.
Post a Comment