87. That was it. 87. No more. His condition was too bad. He was too far gone. 87 years was all he was going to get. It’s what everyone thought — except for Mom. She was determined he was going to live. He was going to be OK. As it turns out, she was right.
Last night, Dad and I reflected on those horrible days and weeks after he fell ill. He asked questions and wanted details he couldn’t remember, which was most of them. It was a time of reflection. A time of gratitude for what God had done.
90. That’s where we are today. He doesn’t really look 90, and he says he doesn’t even feel 90, but 90 he is. We thought this day would have been different even a little over a month ago. We had no idea Mom wouldn’t be here on this milestone day but such is the uncertainty of life.
God has been really good to us, though. Mom and Dad got three more years than any of us thought they would and an incredible 67 years of marriage. I certainly miss my mom and wish she were here to celebrate but I’m so grateful she is whole and that we are able to experience this day with Dad. No, not like we would have hoped but as God saw fit.
I am grateful for this man I call Dad. Sometimes I call him Superman — the name I gave him in the hospital as he was fighting for his life. He didn’t know I was calling him that but he lived up to the name every day. Defying the odds due to a strong heart and a stronger God. He was Superman. He is Superman.
The last nearly 16 months haven’t always been easy since Mom and Dad moved in with us. None of us were under the misconception that it always would be. But it has been a blessing I wouldn’t trade anything for.
Mom finished her course and she’s Home now. Dad isn’t done yet. He’s still needed and I’m so glad he’s here to pour into his grandsons. I need him to teach them the patience I am often short on. I need him to teach them how to love and care for a wife well because he had that down pat. I want him to show them how to laugh in the face of adversity and persevere when life doesn’t turn out as you thought or hoped. I want them to see that life is worth the struggle, even when it’s unimaginably hard.
He can show them these things because this is who he is. If I’m honest, I’m mainly glad he’s here because I just love having my Dad with me every day. I haven’t had that in over 30 years. God has given me time — time that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Happy 90th birthday, Dad. I love you to the moon, Superman!
About the picture: Dad keeping the neighborhood safe on our evening walk! (OK, so Andrew got tired of walking with his JROTC drill rifle and Dad’s picking up the slack).
