Hmmm

I just got off the phone with my Dad. I really don't talk to him enough, but neither one of us is the "call up and chat" kinda person, and we have such different lives that even when we do, it's never a long call. Still, I miss him, he's a great guy, and for all his faults, he has alweays been there for me, tried to help, tried to teach me and show me what I needed, has always been a 'father' as well as 'dad'.

Anyway, he tells me that he finally saw a doctor about his back problems, and the doc told him that it looks like he broke his back at some point in his life and it never healed properly. He's got some exercises that he is supposed to be doing, to try and strengthen it, but he hasn't been. I told him to do them, or else I'd come kick his ass, and it was a joke, but he responded with "well, if that's what it takes for me to see you...". Man, I choked. I didn't have a response to that.

I suppose it's one of those cliche things you hear, that you don't really appreciate them until they aren't around, and it's not totally true, since as far as I'm concerned, my mom can still go take a flying leap off a cliff. I actually wish we lived closer together. A year ago, I got to see him for the first time in 5 years, and I have no idea when I'll see him next.

I proudly carry his name as my own. I'd take a bullet for my Dad.