I know that Mother's day is coming up on Sunday, however, I want people to know what a super Dad that I have.

The story below was passed on to me by a good friend and it got me thinking about my Dad. My Mom does not have Alzheimer, but she has been in the hospital due to medical problems. And my Dad has been there everyday for her. Just like he was for my older brother when his son was killed in Iraq. Dad and Mom where there to support my brother. And when I was rushed to the hospital when my colan ruptured. Dad was there pacing the hall's as I spent over 4 hours in surgery. He's there when I call him for help or advice.

I just hope that someday, I will be just like my Dad. Never thought I would have said that. But my Dad, with all the trouble that I have caused him growing up. He still call's me his son.

Dad, I know that you are a member of FTE and may read this. I just wanted to let you and everybody else know how much you mean to me and that I love you. FBINA109 on FTE is my Dad and I am very proud of him.


THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease. As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him. "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said. "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life." True love is neither physical, nor romantic.

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there are some that come along that have an important message, and this is one of those kind. Just had to share it with you all.

Oh, by the way, peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank. "The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way."

 

TWolf:


Well said. Your Dad sounds like a GREAT man.

One thing to remember. . .
It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to father a child. . . it takes a MAN to be a Dad!!

 

It's amazing how much smarter and wiser my dad has gotten since about the time I turned 20. It's like my college education rubbed off on him or something.


My dad is a great man too, and as much trouble as I caused him, and sometimes didn't cause him, I want to be like him too. He is not perfect but he is great, I want to be better but if I am half the man he is I will be great too.

 

I've begun to realize how great my father is, and I think it's because he wants to be the exact opposite of what his father was to him. My grandfather was verbally abusive, always asking my dad "who'd ever hire you, you're no good," or when he was marrying my mom "why's she want to marry you? you're a nobody." He's always been there for me, he moved from an $80,000 a year job to owning his own store, working 70 hours a week for a pittance just so I could go to the best military school in the nation for high school. he teaches me anything i want to learn about what he does and what he knows (he runs a machine shop as well as an auto parts store, and is probably one of the best fabricators I know). When people ask me who my hero is, I can honestly say that it's my dad.

 

Twolf - I know exactly how you feel. I feel the same way about my dad. He had a handfull and a half with me growing up, but never gave up on me. He always new just how far to let me go before reeling me back in. The funny thing is that we're nothing alike. Very dissimilar interests, occupations, likes, dislikes, etc... The funnier thing is that he would have had every right to have nothing to do with me. He wasn't my father. He was my DAD. My mother met him when I was 12 and they married when I was in college. April was the third anniversary of his passing and I miss him more every day. I know that I'm biased when I say this, but my dad was the best.

To all of the Mom's on this board - A very sincere and heart felt happy mother's day.

Matt