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Dad is not well, but he’s getting better.

My Stepmom had told me that Dad had only moderate bruising on his left side, so that was not so bad. But he had contracted pneumonia, and that was serious. When I spoke to him by phone on Wednesday he sounded as if he were straining to talk though a liter of water. When I finally got to see him on Saturday he was taking breathing treatments, and he didn’t sound much better than he did over the phone. In all sincerity he told me that he thought he might not ever get out of the hospital, but I told him that the doctors were saying that his recovery would be slow and hard, but they believed that he would recover. Dad didn’t say anything. He just gave me a look that wordlessly said, “bullshit”.

As he could, we spoke of other things. He asked if I had looked at his custom t-shirt site that he had sent me in an e-mail link this Thanksgiving. I said yes, and that I knew just what I wanted to have printed on my t-shirt: “Ask me about my vow of silence.” That got Dad laughing. He then started quoting his favorite George Carlin one-liners like, “Embrace apathy—or don’t.” At his third Carlin bon mot even my Stepmom was chucking. Oh, it was good to hear Dad laugh.

I saw him again Sunday, and even though he would tire easily, still his voice was clear and steady when he did speak. He no longer sounded as if he were drowning. Stepmom gave some attention to his feet (bless her) and I kept his water and iced Dr. Pepper cups full. Dad and I talked about football, my brother, and my workmates. He told me several times that he loves me, and I told him I love him too. When I had to leave, I left feeling much better about Dad’s condition. Most importantly, I believe Dad now believes he’ll recover.

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9. tindink said: I hope your dad gets well real soon xx
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11. austpicious said: Sending good wishes your way, and hoping that your dad is on the road to recovery. x
12. whiteysplace said: just saw mine…he insisted on telling me of his sex life. naturally does not enter the equation. fuck.
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14. merelyaspectator said: I hope your dad recovers soon.
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