In the Winter of a Man's Life......

[Mikekoz13]

So I posted this simple question on FaceBook yesterday:

"Why must a good Man wither away in the Winter of his life?"

We all know that there is no answer but it is something that I have thought about a LOT recently.

My Dad's health has faded badly in the last couple of weeks and he is literally "withering" away before our eyes. No cancer or devastating diseases just a body that has had enough. His heart is functioning at 15% of normal, he has developed diabetes, his kidneys are failing, and he has some early Alzheimer's.

This is a good man. He was raised by Polish immigrants, a simple country boy that lied about his age so that he could join the military and serve our country. He served with pride and to this day I would say, other than his Family, his service is what he holds most dear in his Life. Dad was Airborne and was stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayettville, NC. While stationed there he met an underage bartender that he courted in a whirwind romance and soon married. Fifty three years later they still Love each other dearly.

Dad has always lived his life the "right way"... working hard, treating my Mom with respect, and keeping a boot firmly planted in the rear ends of two rambunctious boys that may have strayed otherwise. Dad has always been as tough as nails but that rugged exterior has always kept hidden a kind, compassionate and caring man that would help others, behind the scenes, with no fanfare.

Dad still can't look at me and say "I Love You" even when I look him dead on and say it to him, but I know. In what is now the late Winter of his Life, as we watch him slowly leave us, I can see the pride in his eyes when we are around him. When his time finally comes and he is taken "Home", I have no doubt that he will leave knowing that he has done well in his Life... and he will depart the way he has always lived.... with Dignity.

No need to have Prayers for Dad because thankfully, as I long hoped for, Dad re-found his Faith in the last year. His Peace has been made and when his day finally comes he will have Peace in his soul.
For the Spiritual on our Forum...... Prayers for my Mom, my Wife (who Loves my Dad dearly), and of course my children (who do not remember a day when "Pop" wasn't here) would be appreciated.

[Mike]

I saw the post on facebook and wondered what it was about. Thanks for sharing your story. It reminds me of my own grandfather that is no longer with us. He was very strong willed and even in his last days, he still had the look to his eyes

[Mikekoz13]

I saw the post on facebook and wondered what it was about. Thanks for sharing your story. It reminds me of my own grandfather that is no longer with us. He was very strong willed and even in his last days, he still had the look to his eyes

Exactly Mike.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

You're taking part in what most of us have or will do, experiencing the gradual departure of the first people we knew.  Tough, painful--but, and this is my experience--at a point in time you will come to realize that in addition to the loss, it is a time to begin the appreciation at an entirely new level of what you had, have and will have as the result of his influence on you.  Transition is the best word I can think of at the moment, and it's tough. 

[Razor X]

Beautiful tribute to your dad.  I can only imagine what a difficult time this must be for you and your family.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Slyfive]

Thank you for sharing with us Mike, your dad sure is lucky to have a son that speaks so proudly of him, our prayers are with you all, God bless.

[-Doug-]

He obviously did a great job raising you and your brother for you to have written such a nice tribute to him. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days.

[Sir Harry]

Mike, my prayers are with you and your family as you go through this period with your Dad. God Bless all of you.

[theman]

Mike, Thoughts and Prayers go out to you and all your family. 

The older generation , have always had a real problem of telling there loved ones that they love them.  It was a sign of weakness is what they were told by their parents .  Clint Eastwood in his last two movies shows this proably better than I can ever explain it.  Thank goodness we have come around and tell our kids that we love them and we are proud of them etc.. But the older people as you said you can see it by their actions and their eyes. 

As far as the Winter in a Man's Life.  I have found that all the aches, pains, such as arthritis when it hits the joints and your balance sucks, you stand up to fast and you about pass out.  People are talking and you can't hear as good as you used to.  You see something that needs fixing and you used to fix it right away and now you just look at it .  The world around you is moving so fast and so are your loved ones, you get lonely but you don't want to say anything.  You used to be able to eat anything and everything and now most of it don't settle well.  You eat a third of it and get a take home box .  Your bowels don't work as well as they use to.  Well Mike hope this helps you out.  It is the honest to gods truth.

Great Post Mike, Your Dad is Proud. 

[tomgallagher]

Mike, I probably know some of the battles that your Dad is going thru. Good luck to him. Half the fight is having children that care. A lot of older folks don't.

[Sir Harry]

Mike, I probably know some of the battles that your Dad is going thru. Good luck to him. Half the fight is having children that care. A lot of older folks don't.

So true, Tom....especially in our Advanced Age Care Facilities....or more briefly, nursing homes.

[Hingatao]

Consider it done!