family update

Thank you to everyone who left such supportive words for my family and me on my last post, by email, and on Twitter. I’m not replying individually, but I really do appreciate all the kindness.

My dad passed away a minute after midnight on Tuesday. He was 63. His three younger brothers, two of their wives, my husband and I were there with him. The photo is of my parents who were married for 41 and half years.

While it was difficult, it is now a relief that he isn’t suffering. His health had deteriorated rapidly in the last few weeks requiring more pain medication that kept him groggy and disoriented. None of us wanted him to linger in that uncomfortable state.

We are not having a funeral, but there will be a memorial service in the spring with a party in the backyard. I’m staying through the weekend with my mom, then flying back to San Diego on Sunday.

I’m so grateful that I was able to be with my family for this time. After almost a month where my life felt like it was on “pause,” I’m ready to go home. Rehearsals for my next show start on Tuesday. I miss my kitties, blogging, my fridge full of CSA produce, and temperatures above 20 degrees.

So instead of being sad, I want to be positive and think you should, too. Let’s do a little gratitude exercise. When’s the last time you did that?

I’m grateful for:

• my family being together, despite our tendency toward dysfunction.
• my husband who is so wonderful he really needs his own post.
• the kind people who have helped us this week, whether at Delta (shocking, I know) or the T-mobile store for their sensitivity and assistance.
• the wonderful care my dad and my family received from the hospice staff at the hospital and residence.
• our friends all over the world who have brought us food or taken care of our cats or offered to run errands or just sent a note or text message to check in.

Please tell me — what are you grateful for today?

Tagged as: dad, family, gratitude