Friday, June 3, 2016

Celebrate the Small Things: A Drive in the Country

Ninety nine percent recovered from the man flu, I write light of spirit and relatively clear of head, on this first Friday in winter.

Aside from feeling miserable and sick, the man flu kept me away from my dad, which was a huge emotional bummer. He is receiving chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer. Every other Friday I spend the whole day with him helping him do his delivery job. I do the driving and lifting. As I was unwell, and he has virtually no immune system, I could not risk his health by spending the day in a truck with him. Neither could I even risk spending the afternoon on the couch with him watching the footy, which is something else we regularly do together. I missed him, and at a time when I fear the chemotherapy is not helping, and I may soon lose one of my best friends.

Today, we were reunited: visiting homes and farms, from Bowral in the southern highlands, down to Yass, delivering fresh meat for people's pet dogs. The job is mundane, mostly, but we talked a lot about sport, politics, work and matters of the heart, and I am very grateful for the time with my dad. He needs my help and I am happy to do it. That's what I'm thankful for today.


8 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's illness. I hope he gets through the chemo and recovers. You deserve many more years of enjoyment with each other; it's the most important thing there is.

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    1. Thank you. I'm resigned to losing him him sooner rather than later.

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  2. I'm glad you're feeling better and that you got to spend time with your dad. I hope the treatment helps him and that you will have many more Fridays of mundane driving with him!

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    1. Thanks Lara, and thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment.

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  3. What a blessing to be able to spend the time with your dad! Here's wishing the best to him, and that you may have many years together still.

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    1. Thanks Tonja. There is always hope, but it doesn't look good. It's not a matter of 'if', it's a matter of 'when'.

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  4. Sending prayers for your Dad. Take care!!!

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    1. Thank you Cathrina, and thanks for visiting and for taking the time to comment.

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