Dad sick in the hospital

Hello all,

I don't know how many of you are getting this, but I want to let you know that my dad is in the hospital again in Omaha. I know he is a strong man. I have tried to pattern myself after him as much as possible. I even write my last name like him by looping the 'T's in Scott. All my life I have wanted to make him proud of me. For my 30th birthday, he gave me a card that validated that I had achieved my goal. It was the best gift he could have given me.

Now, he is sick. I can't concentrate. It is like having a bell ring in my head every 10 seconds and disrupt my thoughts. I caught myself today thinking of my childhood. I was riding in my dad's truck going into the elevator for a Pepsi after a hot day's work. We just jumped into the truck and went. It was not unusual for us to do it. Mom either accepted it or ignored it. Either way, we were out of there. My childhood was filled with thousands of moments just like that one. It was not an exceptional moment, but it was one that just leapt from my memory. I could hear the sound of my dad's 1974 Chevy accelerate. I can see him put his left arm out the driver's side window and have him look over at me give me a smile. That was all I needed then. Still do...

I see him in many of my actions today. Instead of having Ali and Zac ride in the front seat, they sit in their car seats in the back. I find myself glancing over my shoulder and seeing them play with each other. I know now what dad was thinking. No matter what has happened in this day, I still have my family. Everything else doesn't matter right now.

Dad, I hope you get better very soon.

Love,
-Andy