I’ve talked a lot about my mom over the last ten years. The falling apart and the coming together and what God can do to mend fences, and the way he changes my rotten wood attitude before he hammers in that first nail.
This weekend, I got to visit my dad.
Five years ago, my dad had a stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side. He still has plenty of good ideas, but he has a very difficult time conveying them through speech.
Although, I was teasing him about something the other day, and clear as crystal he looked at me and said, “Oh go back to your pheasant farm!”
Sometimes he remembers I live in South Dakota and sometimes he doesn’t. Apparently this is one of the times he remembered. In our family, we call that being a smart ass. Excuse my French.
My dad is in a nursing home, so when I visit I stay with my Auntie Mary.
Auntie Mary could go viral solely on her accent. Google Wisconsin accents and you’ll hear what I mean. “Ack,” she’ll say, “I don’t have an accent. I don’t know what people are talking about.”
As my time to leave ticked closer, I felt a heaviness. What would change before the next time I could get back? How many more visits will I have with my dad? The next time I come, will he still be able to say, “Gosh I love you. So much. I’m proud of you.”
Driving to the airport, Auntie Mary told me about a conversation she had with a friend about growing older. The friend was concerned they wouldn’t be able to keep up their same exercise schedule in a few years. After all, in three years, they’ll be 80.
“Let’s not worry about three years from now. Let’s just enjoy what we can do today.”
Such wisdom from a woman who watches Matlock on a continual loop.
Those words helped me and I hope they help you. Today. Let’s focus on today. What am I able to enjoy today?
What we look for is what we’ll see. I have no doubt if we look for the joy in this moment, we will find it, no matter where we are, who we are with, or who we are missing.
God bless you, Friend.