A man who says what he feels...

Mom and my sister went to visit Dad yesterday.  They found him in the lunch room.  Dad was sitting at a table with another lady resident, who thinks Dad is her Papa.  Dad was sitting with his eyes closed.  My sister reached him first and began to gently massage his shoulders.  Dad's face lit up with a huge, happy smile.  Mom stood in front of him and asked if he could open his eyes... Dad replied, "I hear the voice of my dear wife" and opened his eyes, looking at her with love...

They asked if he would enjoy going out on the patio and Dad heartily responded with a strong, deep voiced, "SURE!"  My sister had brought him an Easter card and a small gift for his Angel...

As they weaved in between some others in their wheelchair, they all settled at one of the patio tables.  Sitting with them was another resident, an 82 year hispanic gentleman. They asked him if he had a big family and he told them he only had six sons and three daughters...he was only there for high blood pressure. He told them how much he liked Dad because of how smart Dad is.

The interns were sitting at another table studying.  A young, pretty intern joined the others at the table and Dad watched her as she walked to the table and sat down.  Dad announced he gets EXCITED when he sees beautiful women.  They all laughed.  The other gentleman commented, "I like him.  He says what I think."

The Aides served Dad and the other gentleman their lunches outside on the patio.  Mom, my sister, Dad and the gentleman all chatted.  One of the girls brought  Dad his favorite fruit plate.  He smiled at her and began to flirt with her.  She told Dad, "You better not fuss over me too much, or Doctor-Doctor will be jealous."  Dad threw his head back and burst into a tremendous belly laugh for, what seemed like, five minutes!

After he finished his lunch, Dad suddenly asked Mom, "What was the most important thing to her as a Mother, in raising their boys."  Mom corrected him, reminding him of their two daughters... Mom told Dad that raising her children was her favorite part.  Dad paused and said, "Ah, yes, Donna..." (My sister was so gracious, not taking offense that she was not mentioned; because she knows how much Dad loves her.)  Dad told Mom she had a very difficult time raising me and how he had to do everything for me...
Then Dad broke out singing, "Pack up all your cares and woe, here we go, Bye Bye Blackbird..."
(My Dad always sang that song to me, as a child to comfort me, and growing up.  It has always been our song.  We danced to it at my wedding...)  Dad's singing made my sister smile. ( I love her so very much for sharing this with me. )

The Aides came to give Dad his shower, so Mom and my sister chatted some more with the nice gentleman on the patio.  When Dad returned, he was well groomed, looking good, smelling fresh and clean from his shower.  Dad told Mom and my sister he was tired and wanted to take a nap.  My sister kissed him and told him how much she loved him.  He looked at her with his kind, loving, baby blues, and told her, "I KNOW you do!". Which made my sister smile again...

Happy Easter Dad...God Bless and keep you...