My SO's dad just died.......

[LisaM]

I've known him since 1972, back when I first met their family.

He's had Alzheimer's for a few years and had a heart attack a month ago. He made it through that and died peacefully at his group home.

He was a doctor and worked in public health. His last purpose might have been to save lives. They didn't think he would make it through his heart attack. When he was in critical care, due to specialization and everyone afraid to make a decision, the hospital almost starved him to death. His family had to sneak in food, and then talk their way up the system to get him fed. The hospital is now reviewing their procedures. He rallied several times to beat the odds, and got to see all 6 of his children before he died.

But what I remember now is when I was a kid, and used to go to their house. There were always people everywhere, 6 kids in 7 years, exchange students, the young Democrats, all the meetings were at their house. We would meet there before we would head out to picket for the UFW. We boycotted everything. I still have my "Don't Buy Lettuce!" and "Don't Buy Grapes!" buttons. My family were activists, but it was their house that was the mecca for everything that was good. I can still smell the homemade bread, and marvel at the fact they could give me a standing invitation for lunch every day - how can anyone do that? Well, I guess if you're Grand Central, you CAN.

Oh, how can those days be gone?

[LeftyFingerPop]

1. I'm very sorry Lisa...

:hug:

[lost-in-nj]

2. I'm sorry LisaM

please give your so a hug from us

:hug:

it sounds like he had an exciting life!! and you were right there.....


lost

[LisaM]

3. Well, I guess the spirit is still there

I just wish I could turn back the clock sometimes, and step back in time.

[1gobluedem]

4. I knew this man

He really did care about saving lives. When he heard the story of a bored resident in the ER who told me to take Motrin for the pain of a broken toe without looking at my chart, which says that I'm allergic to ibuprofen, he was livid. Things like that mattered deeply to him.

He loved the San Juan Islands and loved watching boats. The last time I saw him, he was just sitting quietly in the yard watching the boats go by.

His family loved him dearly and he will be missed by all who knew him.

[Blue Diadem]

5. I'm so sorry Lisa,

He sounds like a wonderful man/father/human being. I smiled at your wonderful precious memories of him and his home.

You & your SO have my deepest sympathy.

:hug:

[LisaM]

6. I thought he'd make it to the San Juan Islands one more time....

I thought when he made it through the heart attack, he would be able to go to his beloved home once more.

[dembotoz]

7. sorry for your loss

Sounds like it was (is?) a great family

[LisaM]

9. Yes, they are a good family

He worked in public health. One day, he was sick and his wife thought he should stay home from work. As she wrote in a letter to her father, his response was, "how can I stay home when there's smallpox in Yugoslavia?"

[fizzgig]

8. i am so sorry to hear that

peace and love to your family :hug:

[applegrove]

10. Sounds like he had a full life (and a full house). Sorry for your loss.