Heard from my father today

[SeaCat]

When my father was admitted to the hospital I mentioned this to my boss who informed me that if I headed north without warning I would lose my job. (I didn't tell her what I thought about that.) I did mention to my mother that I was willing to head north even though she didn't want me to.

Yes I packed some bags. Smallish Duffle Bags. I didn't mention to my mother that our car was in the shop with bad brakes and I was going to have to head north on the bike. I honestly didn't care. (Nor did my wife.) Thankfully I didn't need to head north.

Recently my wife told my mother about all of this. The fact that I was willing to lose my job. The fact that I was willing to do a 1,000+ mile ride north on a to me untested bike. My wife told her all of this and more.

My mother passed this on not only to my father but to my brother. (He whom I had to call and inform that if he didn't get involved then the next time we saw each other I would hurt him.) My brothers comment was that I am insane.

Am I insane? On one hand I tend to agree. I go against the norms and take pleasure in it. On the other hand I disagree. I believe in things like family and honor. I believe that helping others is a good thing, and that standing up for yourself is also a good thing.

The nice thing is my father feels the same way I do.

My father and I talked about this and more during our phone call tonight. Just before my father hung up he did something he has never done before. He told me he loved me. I replied that I loved him. (Something I have never done before.)

It kind of shook me but you know? It left me feeling good.

There is a family gathering scheduled for early August. I'm thinking I ma show up there on the bike long hair and all.

Cat

 

[Guest]

Good for you.

 

[kimbalee]

"I believe in things like family and honor. I believe that helping others is a good thing, and that standing up for yourself is also a good thing."

Ya know... you just make me smile. I love your attitude and logic, and if you are insane you have me for company because I believe the same is true.

 

[cloudy]

You only have one family, and they're yours, faults and all.

I'd have hitchhiked if I had to, and I think you would have, too.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Insane? No, when family needs you, you don't count the cost.

I'm not sure how your father grew up but if it's anything like mine, it's very admirable that he took the leap to say that he loved you, and excellent that you met him there.

 

[kiba]

See your father, when mine passed on we were not close....spend all the time you can with him.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

Good on ya Cat.

 

[MagicaPractica]

You only have one family, and they're yours, faults and all.

I'd have hitchhiked if I had to, and I think you would have, too.

Not sure I could do that. But I did tell my car to behave when the lights came on because I had five states to cross. I figured that was what I had AAA for.

 

[ms.read]

Cat for the shared Family values, I admire you.

 

[rgraham666]

Good for you, Cat.

When I was out with my mom for dinner the other day, I found out my dad had been in the hospital for an emergency operation. I'll confess my reaction was pretty close to indifference.

He made my life a hell growing up.

 

[DesertPirate]

Cat you simply separate what's important from the bullshit. Most of us can do that. You also have the balls to act on your convictions. That is a very special quality!

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I'm sure you know about this, but your boss has obviously never heard of the Family Leave Act. It allows you up to twelve weeks off to visit immediate family members in a time of medical crisis. firing you for going up to see your father, that they know is having medical troubles, would get them into a world of shit, that I am sure you would have no problem dropping down on them.

Good luck with the situation, and I wish your father the best, Cat.

 

[Vermilion]

Am I insane? On one hand I tend to agree. I go against the norms and take pleasure in it. On the other hand I disagree. I believe in things like family and honor. I believe that helping others is a good thing, and that standing up for yourself is also a good thing.

The nice thing is my father feels the same way I do.

I completely agree. Who can you rely on if not your family? My ruling guideline for dealing with people is how I would like to be treated myself - that goe for family, also.

On Sunday my dad is flying out to AZ to go see his dad who is very sick. I'm driving home for four days, even though I was just there last week and am supposed to be going down next week, so I can help my mum out while she takes over my dad's work as well as her own. They tried to persude me not to, but the relief in my mum's voice when I said I was determined made it all worth while.

I can't go over to the States to help my Grandpa, or support my dad, so the very least I can do is take away their worries about home while he deals with things over there.

x
V

 

[john-the-author]

After growing up and having a very difficult relationship with my father (we both worked at that), I'm now enormously happy to have him in my life and have been so for at least a decade. We visit him and his wife every couple years and we have a great time.

He's almost 76 and I don't know how long he'll last. With his health, it could be another decade, but who knows? When he dies, I figure I'm up there to the little town he lives in now. That's just the way it is.

Family really is important, even if you can't stand them.

 

[SlickTony]

Good for you, Cat. I hope everything turns out ok.

 

[where]

When my father was admitted to the hospital I mentioned this to my boss who informed me that if I headed north without warning I would lose my job. (I didn't tell her what I thought about that.) I did mention to my mother that I was willing to head north even though she didn't want me to.

Yes I packed some bags. Smallish Duffle Bags. I didn't mention to my mother that our car was in the shop with bad brakes and I was going to have to head north on the bike. I honestly didn't care. (Nor did my wife.) Thankfully I didn't need to head north.

Recently my wife told my mother about all of this. The fact that I was willing to lose my job. The fact that I was willing to do a 1,000+ mile ride north on a to me untested bike. My wife told her all of this and more.

My mother passed this on not only to my father but to my brother. (He whom I had to call and inform that if he didn't get involved then the next time we saw each other I would hurt him.) My brothers comment was that I am insane.

Am I insane? On one hand I tend to agree. I go against the norms and take pleasure in it. On the other hand I disagree. I believe in things like family and honor. I believe that helping others is a good thing, and that standing up for yourself is also a good thing.

The nice thing is my father feels the same way I do.

My father and I talked about this and more during our phone call tonight. Just before my father hung up he did something he has never done before. He told me he loved me. I replied that I loved him. (Something I have never done before.)

It kind of shook me but you know? It left me feeling good.

There is a family gathering scheduled for early August. I'm thinking I ma show up there on the bike long hair and all.

Cat

You really are one of the good ones