“I Didn’t Think Anyone Would Find Me!”

My brother and I arrived at the hospital yesterday to my dad being alert…and even communicating! Not just giving us wiggles of the toes or a thumbs up. But knowing our names. Remembering that just a few hours prior one of his sisters and brother-in-law was there visiting him. The day before he was still barely following commands. So this change in a 24 hour period is what I would consider astronomical.

He talks and says, “Man. I didn’t think anyone would find me.” I explained “Peggy found you Dad! She got you here! She’s pretty amazing!” He responds, “Nah. She sucks.” I look at Brent like ‘ummmmm.’ We’re both puzzled but understand he’s not ‘all there’ yet. He opens his eyes, looks at both of us and gives us a little chuckle. He’s joking!?!…And then agrees with a “yup,” she is pretty great.

Then he yells out “Cumber!” I look at Brent and whisper, “Brent Cumber!?” He nods yes. Then he goes on “Come on man. Show em what you got!” He’s acting like he’s coaching a former student he had, I don’t know, 30 years ago!?!

And then he’s back and says something relevant. “Why didn’t anyone come?” I re explain “Peggy came, Dad. She made sure to get you help.” And then I ask, “Were you struggling a while Dad?”…And I lost him in the conversation again.

He asks to sit up. So I move his bed a little more upright. He tells me to keep going…So I do. He’s starting to go a little too far but tells me “more.” Brent asks, “What are you trying to do Dad?” He responds, “Get out of here.” I immediately put his bed back to the laying position. Lol! If he knows which child to ask to do things and they’ll actually do it, it would be me 😂🙈

But he’s talking. And he knows we’re there. He’s concerned when he doesn’t see you, and when you remind him you’re there, he raises his hand for you to hold it. I let him know he’s got an army of people thinking about him and praying for him.

The Lord is good. He makes no mistakes.

It’s going to be a long road to recovery. But I’m here, Dad. You’ve got this. And I’ll be here cheering you on. We all will be.

~XOXO