My dad had back surgery the last week of July in 2018. He came to my house afterward, because I have no steps, for what he thought would be a 2 week recovery. Instead, it completely turned his life in another direction neither one of us saw coming.
I remember it like it was yesterday. He was so excited about his back surgery because he was ready to get back out there and do what he loved in sales. His job had become his passion, but he never recovered enough for that happen. He ended up living with me so he could be cared for and get all the help he needed. One complication led to another and 7 months later on, February 3, 2019, he passed away in his sleep.
Going through the past 7 months was rewarding and stressful. I am so grateful and thankful he was here with me so I could spend more time with him, but it was also hard to watch him go into such a rapid decline. He had COPD, emphysema, and some kind of dementia that set in fast. It was difficult watching him struggle to breathe. One day he’d be himself and then the next he’d be confused, and not understanding why he was here. While the circumstances were difficult, it reminded me of some things about life.
How I Grew From the Experience
I’ve always heard about the transition when the parent becomes the child and child becomes the parent, but actually going through it was eye opening for me. There are times you have to make decisions for them that they may not like or understand, but you know it’s for their best.
It made me think about the Lord and how He guides us and leads us to be more like Jesus through out our lives. Sometimes He leads us down a path we don’t understand or like, but in the end we will see how He is with us guiding us to lead a life that is best for us in the long run.
This experience has also has reminded me how important each day is. None of us have any idea what tomorrow holds, so what are you doing with your life today, right now in the present? Every day we wake up breathing we have another opportunity to spend time with God and follow Him, serve and love others, and make steps to better ourselves.
I miss my dad a lot. I had gotten used to just going to see him any time I wanted and it’s been strange not being able to do that. That is another thing that stood out through this experience. Make sure you take every chance you get to love those you hold dear. Tomorrow isn’t promised. So let those you love know it today.
Loosing someone we love so dearly is very hard and difficult to cope with. We all have to go through the grieving process, but as you do remind yourself of the positive, happy moment’s you cherished together. Use those moments to motivate you to grow and make every day a purposeful one. We only have so much time here on this earth so lets live lives full of joy, praise, and aspiration! I know my father has inspired me to.
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