Trip Home, Part 1

So, obviously, I've not been very good at keeping up with this blog in recent months! I'm going to try to be better....but I think that all my free time gets wasted with Facebook....and alas no real time to post here. Embarrassing....but true. ;)

Anyway, let's see..... I went back East for Christmas. And, it was probably the best trip I've ever had with my family. It was really just so splendid. I was able to spend significant time and have great conversations with nearly all of my siblings, my parents and my nephews. And, got to see my grandparents and extended family as well. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. I landed in NYC just after all the horrible snow and ice storms and only encountered a bit of rain the entire week I was back. (That's a miracle in-and-0f itself!)

Spending time with each and every person was really spectacular. But, I think the highlight was my time with my father. He had to retire early (back in March or so) because of his back. He had back surgery earlier this year and isn't allowed to go back to work. My father has always been an active, physical person. Always doing something. Working on something. Busy with some project or doing some sport...or at least working in the yard. But, after his surgery, all of that has had to stop. He can't be active at all. So, I came home worried about how he'd be...since he's so confined and limited in his activity.

But, surprisingly, he was the most contented, level-headed and even-keeled I've ever seen him. He's not thrilled to not be able to do anything physical....but he's not depressed or frustrated as I feared he'd be.

But, that's only part of the story - he also was recently diagnosed with ADD.... at 60 years old. It's a little odd, I admit. But, at the same time, it actually makes sense. Now he's on medication for it and he's so different. But, good different. Meaning - he's still himself, completely. Except that he's better able to concentrate on conversations and he's more even-keeled and patient.

Wow...I guess I'm making it sound like he was a freak formerly or something. And, that's not the case. But, it was such a pleasure to go home and be pleasantly surprised with how well he's doing and all given how bad it could have been.

Plus, I really enjoyed just talking with him about all sorts of stuff and knowing that he was really paying attention to everything I was saying...and not only paying attention but also really interested. I think our two-hour drive to the airport as I was leaving was maybe my favorite part of my trip (and that's saying a lot because there were many highlights).