This morning I woke up for the very first time in 48 plus years, without a Dad. Well, without my Dad living here on this earth. My Dad, John R. Beal, passed away yesterday morning, April 14, 2016. I can honestly say that my initial thoughts and feelings of pain and finality, were followed quickly by the sense of relief that my Dad suffered here no more. Although the former thoughts and Continue Reading...
The Standard is Falling, but He Answered His Calling
I know I'm not the first, nor the last, to have a parent in a nursing home. Still, it's a first for me. Dad is in a nursing home. Since the surgical procedure to insert a shunt back in December, Dad has been home for just a fraction of time. There are a litany of health reasons why he is where he is. I share this because it has been tearing me up. Seeing him as he is has been tough. I want to Continue Reading...
There Is Love In Those Eyes
In short, my Dad is in a nursing home. There's a litany of health reasons why he is where he is. I share this because it has been tearing me up. Tears stream down my face night after night. Why? Because it's my Dad. It's him sitting there. It's the guy I couldn't stand to be away from as a boy. Maybe I could walk, but still he'd carry me, because I was his boy, and there was love that parents Continue Reading...
The Silence Before The Dream
I stand in darkness, nearly in complete silence. The night air encircles my body and it's comfortably warm, the same, safe, and it's just right. My face is turned to the clear sky and I see the bright moon before my eyes close. There I stand still. Still as the night air which is only disturbed by my own movement. Eyes closed, face skyward, I feel the coolness of the late night air as it descends Continue Reading...
Mixed Comments II
This morning Theodore walked up to me and said, "I be sick and tired. I just want to take a nap." Then he laid down on the cold hardwood floor, just for a moment though. Jacqueline, upon looking at our Christmas tree which still stands because the kids love it so much, "Dad, look at the Christmas tree, it's so beautiful. And it's kind and gentle." Theodore and Jacqueline, both were asking for a Continue Reading...
Ready to go
Theodore and Jacqueline (29 months) are ready to take a ride with dad. They were excited to go, and possibly more excited to have their pictures taken. We were just headed out to run a few errands. Continue Reading...
Dad, I know you can
Dad, I know you can do it. You may doubt yourself or maybe even wonder if the effort is worth the trouble. I am not sure if my opinion counts or not, but I think it's worth the trouble. I know life is long here on earth, yet compared to eternity, it's just the blink of an eye. So before this eye blinks again, do what you can. You're my dad. I don't have another one, and I want this one functioning Continue Reading...