Kathy W.

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I saw you in the update feed. Welcome back!

Forward Ever, Backwards Never

*I meant March 2013! :)

When Dad was finally discharged after a LONG hospitalization, his heart surgeon said, "Your father's left ventricle is shot. I don't know if he'll last a week or a month, or a year." I said, "Doctor, I've asked for at least five years. I believe his spirit will keep him alive at least that long." And it has. March 2012 will be six years.

I wish I could keep him around forever. But his surgeon says he's too high risk to try new technology on him. And since Dad's in his 80s, I think he would steadfastly refuse to go under the knife again.

I'm hanging in there, trying not to let fear interfere as I strive to make him feel truly loved. I'll sure miss him when he's gone. But oh my, I'm so glad I got to have this time with him.

During his triple-bypass, the surgeons lost him. I could sense it, so I went to the chapel and said, "Stay with us, Dad. Stay with us." When he came out of anesthesia, before he took a nosedive that put him on a breathing machine, he looked into my eyes and said, "It took a massive heart attack for me to see how much I love you." And that same day he said to my siblings, "I see it now. Tami is good--truly good."

These words were balm to my heart and soul considering our history. Mom married him when I was four. And we got off on the wrong foot. I desperately wanted him to like me and he desperately wanted me to like him. But I was wary of a machismo soldier who thought my mother's girls were spoiled rotten and should be disciplined and he was wary of a bright child who was too deep for her own good. We had our moments but Mom would get jealous and envious when we got along, so we usually didn't.

I'd like to think that she's happy for us now.

Thanks for asking, Wilka, my beauty and wonder. And thanks for listening. You have a way of sending comfort and encouragement when I least expect them and when I most need them. Much love, tame

PS I think your daughter is doing noble work. You must be VERY
proud.

Kathy, I hope all is going better since you last pinged me.

I've been ill. But I'm on the mend! I love you, my Wilka beauty and wonder! Thank you thank you thank you for missing me and for checking on me and for wanting me back. It makes me feel so good inside! xoxoxoxoxoxox t

Wilka, I think that discussion of finance with Nippy was a single comment in response to a comment he posted that I saw a minor error in. Minor, as in you could call it a mine or a shaft.

Kathy, you have no idea how much I enjoyed the firestorm. You were not alone, in fact I feel Like I had something to do with the reaction to an article that basically Offered an argument in favor of diversity -- that was the intent and I certainly found a lot of diversity in the discussion that followed. I also found a lot of people arguing that the nation should not be diverse.

My only regret is I have been disciplined by Gather for an angry response to one of the right wingadinalings. I am now denied any points for my articles. I have also been put on notice that further "hateful" comments will get me banned.

Many many thanks. I've had to tackle bullies almost all my life. I'm now an expert in handling them now :-D

However most of them cannot get the message that it makes no sense taking me on.