Deja Vus

Well, Happy New Year my friend the Blog. While I'm glad to return I am saddened by my report. I am back in Florida bringing in the New Year with the Chief, my step-Dad. His health continues to deteriorate and his mental health is becoming less stable. Every indication is early Alzheimer's has arrived and has added to his stroke-induced dementia that consumed all of last year. I admire his undeniable will to 'return to normal' but my heart breaks each day that I see him struggle. There have been some instances of the mean and hurtful Smith temper where he tongue lashes Sharon, Lena or Pearl. There are times where he wants to kick everyone out of the house and be 'free' once again. His depression causes crying spells which are so easy to understand but difficult to endure. Like I said once before, getting old is not for sissies. It is some really painful stuff...emotionally, mentally and physically.
Speaking of painful, last week I thought I was going to precede the Chief in dying. I picked up some food poisoning at Island Jack's in West Palm Beach. The place looked like a real dive and it was. Some bad chicken got me real good. Waves of nausea followed by gallons of diarhea...sounds fun but it really wasn't. I think I lost six to eight pounds over three days of not eating. I was so sore from wretching that I couldn't move without some minor aches and pains. Thanks to Pearl, she helped me through my suffering. Thankfully, I will fight the battle a while longer.
Well it's a New Year. I'm going to try better to be a productive sort of guy. It's hard when your life has been put 'on Hold' while attending to family priorities. After providing care for my step-Dad and direction, to a degree, to my children, I have to start worrying about myself. The same issues remain. I won't trouble you with redundant writings...just look at previous posts for some insight into my challenges for 2009. I will face them head on. But this year I will lean on God for more direction. A priority for me is to strengthen my relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The only way to do so will be to meditate more and to understand the discipline of Prayer. The book The Shack really got me thinking.
Another repetitive matter, how to make running a habit again. The severity of this year's Winter has successfully defeated me. But, I will return to fight again.
Run long, run easy, run Always. I watched a 5k race in Fort Pierce, Florida, this morning. A man with a smile on his face ran by with a shirt that said 'I wish I was 79 again.' Now that man is my Hero.
Time to close 2009's first ramble. I will return, again. From Whom All Blessings Flow, Thanks. Over and Out. Ricky