I think it is too easy at times to take advantage of our
parents and grandparents without realizing their past history or story. Today
Anne and I had the privilege of reconnecting with one of my dad’s special
friends from the Air Force. I had some memory of Bill and Diane but really
didn’t know how my dad had been part of their lives. I knew that the Dittmers
were closer to my age then my dad’s. I had received an e-mail last night from
Bill hoping to connect with us before they left or Tucson the next day. I
quickly e-mailed and then gave him a call.
We talked a little bit last night so we could make plans for
a rendezvous today. I never know how my dad is going to respond to new people
or going out for food. So I decided to just show up and kidnap him around 9:30
and go to our usual spot – Cocos. I didn’t know whether I would recognize Bill
and Diane but I did. She hadn’t changed very much in 30 years. I told my dad
about them as I got him ready to escape from his Senior Care Facility, he
perked up and got excited to see them. I
was pleasantly surprised that he actually recognized them. He won’t remember
that we had breakfast together later today but he does remember the distant
past.
We ordered our food and once Grandpa was settled Bill said
that he had something he had wanted to tell my dad and me for the last 30
years, especially since he has known about Dad’s Dementia. I could tell that
this wasn’t going to be easy as he shared that he might cry while sharing. He
went on to tell us about Grandpa being instrumental in his overcoming many
fears in life, especially while doing his training to become a navigator. He
gave a brief overview of his life and how dad had been so helpful in his
becoming confident in facing life’s ups and downs.
He shared a few of dad’s rather amazing or pithy statements
like, “We can do the difficult today but the impossible will take a few more
days.” It was as if another world about my dad had been opened up which I
really didn’t know much about. I then realized as Bill is talking that this was
during Dad’s last few years in the Air Force before he retired and went back to
college. I should really have known about my dad’s way of being an encourager
and helper type because that is my DNA. I always thought it was my mom who
molded me into who I’m today but it is just as much my dad’s doing.
We had a great breakfast as Anne and I filled them in on our
history and also my mom’s last year or so. Dad sat there and listened and occasionally
would say how much he loved and appreciated them coming to see him. I’m so
thrilled to have reconnected and have gotten their info, which I had an e-mail
but had little reason to contact them. I know that Bill has blessed me with a
great picture of my dad that I will cherish for the rest of his life and my
life. My dad is an incredible father and flyer whom I’m sure influenced many
others during their transition from being a newbie to a seasoned aviator.
I know that my mom must be thrilled as she observed us
having a great chat with her friends, the Dittmers. Life is such an amazing
journey that when someone else gives a glimpse into a loved one’s past it is
like having blinders taken off of your eyes. Thanks so much God for making this
happen today!!
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