I didn't want to hijack Biddyman's thread about Putt, so here's the story about my other bad news this week. My dad was taken to the hospital on May 14, with congestive heart failure, emphysema, and an infection. We moved him to the hospice on May 22, and he passed away on the 27th. My brother was able to make it here from North Carolina a few days beforehand. At eighty-seven, he had a good, full, life. Since his last hospitalization in December it had pretty much been a question of when, rather that what. Still, it's difficult to deal with, and I can't imagine how others cope with people who die before "their time." My eighty-four year old mother is dealing with cancer, also a "when, not what" situation. When she was diagnosed, my dad commented that he'd always expected to go first (as most men do.) Oddly prophetic, but the old guy was right one last time. Arrangements for Monday's memorial service will be complete tomorrow, so Desmo Steve and I are having breakfast and going for a short ride. Probably not a bad idea for all of us who are still able.
