While on our Thanksgiving cruise in the Caribbean, I got a phone call, the day after Thanksgiving to tell me my Father passed away. I hate to say that it was sudden, due to he was 90, but he was fine when I left. It was less than a year ago my Mother died of Alzheimer's and Parkinsons'. My Dad was in an assisted living facility. He was not enjoying life to say the least. He was confined to a wheelchair due to knee issue. A knee replacement was not an option due to a history of heart attacks and strokes. His death was very different than my Mothers. She spent 18 months on hospice and declined at a very slow pace. I mourned for a very long time before she passed away. Dad on the other hand, died very suddenly. We had a Memorial/Celebration of life about a week after his death. Bryan, my husband did a fantastic job telling stories about my father and made my father smile in heaven by singing the Lords Payer. My sister made a batch of my Father's famous caramels and we gave them out at the service. The outpouring of support that I got from friends and family was overwhelming. We thought we may have 50 people at the church, but ended up with over 100. The cards I received in the mail were all so beautiful, along with special words that came in the form of texts, phone calls, emails and Facebook posts. My Dad became my buddy. We took many Walmart trips, went to the symphony and had many ice-cream cones, along with many other adventures over the past few years. I will miss him everyday, but I know he is with my Mother and she is buttering his toast, ironing his shirts and making him little platters for lunch.
Eleven years ago, we moved from Richmond, VA to Butler, PA take care of my ageing parents. My Mother started to show signs of Alzheimer's, which runs in our family. We are fortunate enough to have our own business that can be located anywhere, so we picked up and moved from Richmond, VA to Butler, PA. I said I would never move back to Butler....well I ate those words! For 11 years my life revolved with taking care of my parents, raising Clare and working in the office. I was able to hire caregivers for my parents, but I handled everything else. I would not have changed a thing (other than selling my parents rental house to a total asshole, who someday will rot in hell - I know, Laura, I have to let it go!!). About two years ago, I knew in the near future that Clare would be off to college and the journey of taking care of my parents would be over. I thought that I better start thinking about the large void that I will have in my life, thus the world of triathlon came into my life. As of Nov. 27, 2015, realization of all of my voids became a reality. This journey has sadly come to an end and the new journey of Ironman is about to start. Official spread sheet training starts in January. I have a few more days to enjoy the rest of the year without beating myself up about missing a workout here and there. I'm sure a little weight will be gained and one to many cocktails will be drunk, but I will enjoy the Christmas season with family and friends, but missing both of my parents very much. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
