Spending the day with Dad

Hello all,

Ali, Zac and I traveled North to Iowa today to visit with Dad. We got out of the house a little after 9:00, so we made good time getting to Iowa before noon. Dad is sleeping right now, but I went in to let him know that I was here. Stan and Shirely Schaaf were mom's Bill Watchers this morning. They are both very nice people. Dad has always enjoyed talking to Stan about Iowa State athletics. With the NCAA men's basketball tournament coming up, I'm sure dad will be watching it closely.

The hospice nurse came by this morning to check on dad. She brought cookies for the kids! Ali and Zac loved the cookies and gave us some privacy while the nurse checked dad out. His blood pressure was good and his breathing was steady.

After dad's check-up was finished, I spend a few minutes talking to the nurse. We talked about dad, his disease and how he is fighting. It is remarkable to know that dad has outlived even the most optimistic of prognosis. Way to go dad!

I fixed the kids some lunch around noon. Mom came home just to say hi and get dad to eat a few bites of food. I helped dad take a drink or two of water and then helped him lay back down. I sat on the edge of the bed for a while and held dad's hand as he drifted off to sleep. His hands are still strong, just like him.

This afternoon dad's college roommate Larry Giesman dropped by to visit. It seems that his wife is in North Dakota visiting her mother and Larry took this opportunity to stop by and say hello. We visited the afternoon away while the kids played in the kitchen. Dad woke up for a few minutes while Larry was saying good-bye.

The evening was filled with laughter and a few cries of anger as Ali and Zac ran around the farmhouse. Zac is getting used to the tricky corners that plagued me as a child. He just can't run so fast though the kitchen. I told him that the floor is going to reach up and trip him every time!

It is getting late and the kids are ready for bed.

-Andy