I'm in northern Michigan for my Dad's heart surgery. Everything went really well with the surgery itself, but it's still been a very trying trip. My step-mom is not handling anything well, even though there is nothing wrong. Dad has been showing symptoms of alcohol and tobacco withdrawal, including getting pretty nasty with my step-mom and being downright irrational and paranoid at times. Things I've learned through this trip:
1. Nothing is more beautiful than northern Michigan in the winter. Texas can keep its 70+ degrees and shove it up its ass.
2. The more time I am around my dad, the more I channel his "grumpy old man" syndrome. Example: While driving home from the hospital yesterday, we encountered a Hummer that had missed the road it was trying to turn onto and landed in the ditch. I yelled to it from the car, "Serves you right for driving a big-ass vehicle that guzzles so much gas!" See what I mean?
3. My step-mom is a basket-case, and when my dad's health finally does fail, I don't want to be around.
4. My aunts are the best.
5. My mom is the best.
6. My husband is the best.
7. Prayer works.
8. Nurses are saints.
9. I've made more friends in the hospital in the last 3 days than I have in Texas in the last 3 years. These are my people.
10. Bird-watching is better than TV.
I'll try to post some pictures at some point, but dial-up sucks, so it might not be until I get back. As it is, I have to keep my posting on the down-low. I miss communicating with all of you!
