Dad's Another Year Older Today!

Today, Dad is 83 years old. Wow! What a life he's lived. He lived through the depression, having grown up in Arnaudville, Louisiana. Times were tough, that is for sure. When he was in the 3rd grade, he acquired a shotgun. He told his dad that if he allowed him to quit school, and got him some shotgun shells, that he would be sure there was always meat on the table. Being of Acadian decent (his ancestors came from Nova Scotia) and raised a cajun, although the family was extremely poor, they always managed to eat. The Cajuns are a tenacious bunch of people. They will grow their own vegetables and fruit, and go out and kill meat for the table. He served in the Navy as a Gunner's Mate in WWII, in the Battle at Normandy. He hitch-hiked from California (or where-ever it was that he was discharged from the Navy) all the way to Louisiana. Met and married my mother in 1950. Yep - they have been together 58 years this December. There were 5 kids in my family. With his limited education, he was able to feed and cloth us all. I went to a Catholic school from the second grade through Graduation. We had a nice home - 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, in a nice neighborhood that had plenty of kids to play with or fight with... Every payday, he'd hand over his paycheck to my Mom; she'd give him $20 for the week. Each weekend, he'd leave to go to his camp which was on the banks of the Atchafalaya River (and next door to Whiskey Bay Hunting Club). This was right across the river from the Sherbourne Wildlife Management Area. He worked in New Iberia, LA, and after his step father died, he stayed with his Mother during the week, and came home on the weekends. He did this until she passed away. Then, one day, life began going down hill for him - as life tends to do. He's had to bury his 2 sons; he had his license taken away because of his eyesight. These past few years have been especially tough for him. He's got an underactive thyroid (tie-rod), cataracts (cadillacs - which is actually macular degeneration) and Parkinson's. He's been getting progressively weaker. When I mentioned his birthday to him last night he said: "Big deal! I'm old; can't see; can't eat; can't say what I want to say... I'm a lump on the log and a burden to everyone!" Wow. I asked him if the whole time I was growing up, did he think I was a burden? Because this is what family does; we take care of each other. I explained that I am happy to do this and glad I am able to. He worries about my being there so much - does Kent get angry? And my transporting him and Mom to their doctor appointments. He's worried I will lose my job. Well, I have explained to him that Kent is nothing like my first husband, Ricky. Kent is secure in himself and is not afraid to share me with anyone (except another man....). Kent understands the importance of family to me. And, there is a thing called the Family Medical Leave Act which guarantees I can keep my job and take them to their appointments. It made me sad to think he is feeling this way. I don't blame him, no! I'd feel the same way. He has always been a social guy (but Mom never understood or appreciated his sense of humor, and therefore did not like to socialize with him), but he was able to do this at his camp or his Mom's house in Henderson, LA (which is spitting distance to Breaux Bridge). Now, he can't drive, can't read the newspaper, can't hardly see TV, and is stuck in the house with Mom. I think he would benefit from an Assisted Living Facility, but he and mom aren't interested. And I am not going to force the issue. Well, for what it's worth: Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you this much! Jeaux