Dad and Auntie Sue

I am fortunate enough to live close to a few of my few cousins.  Last night while my husband was studying (he is starting school this semester for his MBA) I went out with two of them and had a great time!  We stopped by a store where my cuz Kristin bought a five string pearl necklace and she wore it when we went out afterwards for pie and hot chocolate.  (She says the pearls are what got us the great service).  Kristin's mom Susan is my Dad's oldest sibling, only sister.

While talking to my cousins last night I realized something. WOW! A lot of people have been affected by this whole hemorrhagic stroke business!

Whenever we are together, Aunt Sue is so nice to my Dad.  Despite her own health, she gets up to get him food and drinks.  They sit around and laugh.  She cracks jokes with him and listens to him talk in circles sometimes.  My observation is that she treats him like gold.  As though he were the most important person in the world to her.  I love her for that.  I love her anyway!  But I do appreciate the effort she puts into making him feel valued and important to her.

Over hot chocolate Kristin said to me that my Auntie Sue is "devastated".  That has stayed with me all day.  That is a big word to throw out there, but I know it is true of many, especially Mom and Dad.  Ever since his stroke and consequent TBI I have had to leave the "why" question alone.  I will do no exploring there.  I don't understand this at all but one very important thing I do understand: that we do have a God in heaven and He is mindful of us.  Nothing else matters.  If I can put my energy into understanding the Lord's gospel better rather than wondering why this happened,  then that can be a silver lining in this cloud.

It wasn't that long ago that we were calling him for help with installing or fixing or moving or errands.  It is strange to think back to only a few months ago.  Daddy-o has been a very successful individual from his family to his faith to his career and beyond.

Kristin asked me what she could pray for.  I said that a great thing to ask Heavenly Father for is a hobby for my Dad.  Something he can really get into and enjoy doing with his present abilities.  Everyone of us wants to feel the needed that we are.  I really pray for my Dad, and that all of us around him may be inspired to help him find something he will like and take interest in.