My mom phoned this morning, with news that my dad was in emergency last night with chest pains. Doctors sent him home , and gave him another little lecture about slowing down.Two years ago, my dad had a mild heart attack. It was only then that he quit work. He was 74 years old when he retired.
The doctors I'm sure, see an old fellow, stooping a little ,thinning grey hair, a limp he's had since the army, dry sense of humor, stubborn as they come, who just needs to kick back and enjoy these golden years.
They don't know my dad, and what a difficult thing they are asking of him. My dad is the hardest working man I have ever known. The strong, tough guy, who fixed his own cars, built his own house,rode and repaired motorcycles, camped, hunted, fished. We never had a repairman in our home.He built doll houses and treehouses, and he was the one who patiently taught me to knit so I could earn a girl scouts badge. My dad was never unemployed, and often, over employed.
When I was born, my dad was in the military, PPCLI, peacekeeping in Germany. He was a paratrooper. When he left, he became an engineer. For a long time I thought he drove a train, but what he really did was operate various plants.
My dad always spent time when wasn't working with his family, and now is just as invested in his grandkids and great granddaughter.
Slowing down for my dad will kind of be like winding down, and I'm not sure he's ready for the shift. Although I worry about the old guy, I will try not to lecture or remind him of his limitations. I will honor his choices and gently remind him we want him around for a long ,long time.
About Me
- Hope
- I am a woman who is content with herself and her life, but believe that each day brings new possibilities and opportunities that I intend to be open to. I am an intuative person who does not always listen to herself.
5 comments:
They don't make'em like that anymore, do they? I miss my gramps. Same guy, different town.
I hope your father figures out how to keep busy and slow down all at the same time. I lost my father four years ago. I am sure your family with make sure to take the time to make those memories so that your granddaughter will be able to say she knew him well.
I lost my dad when I was 4, so I don't have such loving memories to share.
But, it sounds like you have a wonderful father.
I hope he listens enough to slow down,
but not so slow that he is unhappy.
I'm sorry for all your losses.
My dad is doing great. Spoke with him this a.m. and he was complaining how mom had hired the kid down the block to shovel the snow. I told him my granddaughter needed a toybox and dollhouse like he had made my daughter. They should be done in a week or so!
Your dad sounds awesome Hope. Hopefully he can "ease" into retirement....my dad is 70 and although "retired" as far as a regular job - he goes 90 to nothing and isn't happy unless he is.
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