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#1
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OT - Phone call to my Dad...
OT - Phone call to my Dad...
My father, who used to be, first, a Grumman Avenger Navy pilot during WWII, and, 50 years later, a private pilot, is in the landing pattern, wheels down and locked, landing lights on, and the runway lights have come on for his final transfer. It was thus that I used all the flight analogies in my presumed final phone call to him over Skype, the medium which my sister was using to allow family members to see him during calls. As it turned out, my sister was there, and had the video on so we could see him. Unfortunately, I got her skype call just as I was beginning the working day, so wasn't prepared, and had an interrupted (help coming in) and somewhat disjointed call. I remedied that by calling back later after properly preparing my call. He'd long ago instructed us that in these foreseen end days (he's dying, essentially, from the effects of dementia, where the brain gradually forgets how to do anything, starting with the usual "can't remember" stuff which happens to us all as we age, down to remembering how to eat, and, eventually, to even breathe), to speak to him as though he was fully "there". Evidently, he was right, as he moved his shoulder as I spoke, in both cases, whereas he's otherwise "resting comfortably" - which is to say, virtually inert. Here's what I said in my "prepared" call: Hi, Dad, This is your son, Skip. I see you're in the waiting room for your final flight. The angels are assembling to carry you to heaven so you can be with Mom. Your brother Bob and your sister Betty have set up the arrival lounge to accommodate all the others who are eagerly awaiting your arrival. I know it will be a great trip. What a great ride that will be, with angels all around you, giving you the greatest view of the trip. I expect that Mom will be playing her pedal organ with welcoming music, accompanying the choir assembled for you. I wish that I could be there to lend my voice, but I'll be there with you soon enough, and we'll harmonize! All my life, you and Mom made it very clear that heaven was "THE" place to be, and there's not a doubt in this world that you've earned the right to be there. I expect that the fitting room already has your wings ready, for you're surely among the angels in my life. Just one example has been the lifestyle we're in now. Not only did you fully accept and love Lydia, my cousin who's now my wife, your annual Christmas gifts, over time, entirely paid for our new home, the Morgan sailboat Flying Pig, along with all the improvements we've made to it over the years. Every time we raise our sails, we think of you, as it was your annual gifts which allowed us to get new sails. On your trip, Dad, if you see this strange looking animal off to the side, it will be Flying Pig riding along as your wingman. However, with all the angels doing the transport, he'll be just along for the ride, saluting his benefactor. For that matter, I have no doubt that there will be a virtual armada of others flying along in formation, as you've benefited thousands in your time on earth. As you look around, you'll be surrounded by all those support craft. You won't really need any support, but they'll be your honor guard on the way to your new home. Thanks again for all you've done for me in my 66 years. Flight Services is reporting CAVU and brilliant sun, with no wind. All that sun heating the ground makes for great thermals, which will make for a swift ascent. Have a great trip! I'll talk to you again soon. Bye! He's been in Hospice for a week or so, which is a very good thing. He's been preparing for his "soft landing" - the analogy he's used in the past as this time approached - for years, even before dementia set in, and everything was already in place for him to go. All along, I've wondered what my response to this moment (note that he's still "alive" as I write) would be. In the last few years, as dementia progressed, I'd expected that I'd be happy and unemotional (other than grateful for his relief). However... While the "weather" here could be described as "cloudy, with a chance of showers," indications are that a front is moving in and it might get worse :{)) L8R, y'all... Skip Morgan 461 #2 SV Flying Pig KI4MPC See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery ! Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain |
#2
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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OT - Phone call to my Dad...
"Flying Pig" wrote in message
... OT - Phone call to my Dad... My father, who used to be, first, a Grumman Avenger Navy pilot during WWII, and, 50 years later, a private pilot, is in the landing pattern, wheels down and locked, landing lights on, and the runway lights have come on for his final transfer. snippage Alzheimer's is an sad way to go, especially for surviving loved ones. It's a slow decay of the higher brain functions. One wonders, when somebody's in the later stages of it if they really even know what's going on around them. Things like a Skype phone call are probably more for the benefit of the caller than the called. I'd say may he rest in peace but I'm not sure if perhaps I should say instead God Bless his soul as when exactly does the soul depart? When the brain goes or when the heart goes? I'd think probably the brain. Hang in there, Skippy! He might well already have taken that journey. Wilbur Hubbard |
#3
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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OT - Phone call to my Dad...
Wilbur, even in compassionate response, you manage to screw it up.
Said fondly, not in disappointment or anger :{)) "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message news.com... "Flying Pig" wrote in message ... OT - Phone call to my Dad... My father, who used to be, first, a Grumman Avenger Navy pilot during WWII, and, 50 years later, a private pilot, is in the landing pattern, wheels down and locked, landing lights on, and the runway lights have come on for his final transfer. snippage Alzheimer's is an sad way to go, especially for surviving loved ones. It's a slow decay of the higher brain functions. One wonders, when somebody's in the later stages of it if they really even know what's going on around them. Things like a Skype phone call are probably more for the benefit of the caller than the called. I'd say may he rest in peace but I'm not sure if perhaps I should say instead God Bless his soul as when exactly does the soul depart? When the brain goes or when the heart goes? I'd think probably the brain. Hang in there, Skippy! He might well already have taken that journey. Wilbur Hubbard He's dying from dementia, which is very much different from Alzheimer's, as folks don't hang around for years as mental vegetables under the influence of dementia. And, he's been growing into his death for years, with his faith. That said, your observations are spot on, and I have no doubt that he's at peace. However... He's not in yet :{)) - just completed the call to Harbor Control. But, thanks for the sentiment. Perhaps we'll get out of this filthy yard yet this year! L8R Skip and crew -- Morgan 461 #2 SV Flying Pig KI4MPC See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery ! Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain |
#4
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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OT - Phone call to my Dad...
"Flying Pig" wrote in message
... Wilbur, even in compassionate response, you manage to screw it up. Said fondly, not in disappointment or anger :{)) "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message news.com... "Flying Pig" wrote in message ... OT - Phone call to my Dad... My father, who used to be, first, a Grumman Avenger Navy pilot during WWII, and, 50 years later, a private pilot, is in the landing pattern, wheels down and locked, landing lights on, and the runway lights have come on for his final transfer. snippage Alzheimer's is an sad way to go, especially for surviving loved ones. It's a slow decay of the higher brain functions. One wonders, when somebody's in the later stages of it if they really even know what's going on around them. Things like a Skype phone call are probably more for the benefit of the caller than the called. I'd say may he rest in peace but I'm not sure if perhaps I should say instead God Bless his soul as when exactly does the soul depart? When the brain goes or when the heart goes? I'd think probably the brain. Hang in there, Skippy! He might well already have taken that journey. Wilbur Hubbard He's dying from dementia, which is very much different from Alzheimer's, as folks don't hang around for years as mental vegetables under the influence of dementia. And, he's been growing into his death for years, with his faith. That said, your observations are spot on, and I have no doubt that he's at peace. However... He's not in yet :{)) - just completed the call to Harbor Control. But, thanks for the sentiment. Perhaps we'll get out of this filthy yard yet this year! Perhaps you should read this: http://www.alzinfo.org/08/about-alzh...enile-dementia Senility or senile dementia and Alzheimer's are used pretty much interchangeably these days. "What is Senile Dementia? Senile dementia is the mental deterioration (loss of intellectual ability) that is associated with old age. Two major types of senile dementia are identified: those due to generalized "atrophy" (Alzheimer's-type dementia) and those due to vascular problems (mainly, strokes). Senile dementia is often used when referring to Alzheimer's disease." Wilbur Hubbard |
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