Some really bad news about dad

[StevieC]

Thank you bbhero. I Appreciate that.

I have the funeral Friday for my uncle (dad's brother) and I know my cousins are a mess loosing their father. They are much younger than me so I can only imagine their pain. It makes it really hard for them because he is the brother that was in business with my dad when they had the shops together and are very similar in age. They also spent a lot of time together during our lives so the connection is strong and what I'm feeling toward my dad and loosing my uncle they are feeling 10x as bad but in the opposite way.

Friday will be a good test for how prepared I am and judging by how bad it was yesterday I have a lot of work to do between now and then and all the advice from you and others isn't falling on deaf ears. I'm taking it all in and taking steps to maximize what time he has left and the time spent with him and minimize the fallout thereafter and so I can be strong for my mum who is going to need it. Especially because I'm the only one that lives in the country.

 

[Revving2Redline]

I don't have the words to bring you the answer or comfort your seeking but I can say you are lucky to have each other. Share your bond and memories and laughs. When the ones we love leave for the great journey beyond these things will be invaluable. Never give up either. Give him hope to keep fighting it. If your doing well and hanging in there it will be better for you all. Will be thinking about you. My mom survived cancer twice. She was more miserable when everyone else was dragging too. She wanted us doing well so if she left we could make it. Find fun pics and show him. If you went hunting/fishing and have pictures then tell him and show him. All these people we love are on loan from God. Let each day be meaningful.

Now, on a side note I just wanted to say that when I first saw this post I wanted to answer with did your dad quit using amsoil too??! Sorry couldn't help it lol

 

[StevieC]

My dad is old school and doesn't believe in synthetics. He usually drives beaters for himself and uses whatever conventional is on sale with a basic Fram economy filter. Usually when he gets a vehicle it has a problem that he repairs and then uses for himself for a couple years before dumping it and moving on to something else. Like his Windstar that the neighbour gave him because it needed a transmission. It had 300K on it but was in good shape so he repaired the transmission and drove it to 400K.

The only exception is the Caravan I bought him off lease from my work because it was a heck of deal and was almost all highway miles. It still uses conventional oil but it's not a beater, it's in really good condition and despite having over 300K on it he still drives it to Boston to see my brother (9 hours) and to South Carolina for vacation yearly.

He thinks I'm nuts using synthetic despite seeing the Santa Fe going 535K (300K+ miles) and when we took the valve covers off to find out what happened he saw how clean the engine was and it had virtually no visible wear, but he is happy he has instilled routine maintenance into me and taught me to do a lot of things most folks can't do.

Funny story, him and my mom were on their way back from South Carolina when the caliper decided to stick on the one drivers wheel. Pins were dry due to a worn boot. He limped it into an Autozone and got out his tools he takes with him for the trip. Took the wheel off, freed up the caliper and changed the pads that were now badly chewed up on the one wheel, put it back together and drove it home. He changed the pads on the other side when he got it home and services the pins on that side as well. I would have called a tow truck and stayed the night, not done a repair in the parking lot. I laughed at the story but it's a perfect summary of my dad.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Originally Posted by StevieC


Funny story, him and my mom were on their way back from South Carolina when the caliper decided to stick on the one drivers wheel. Pins were dry due to a worn boot. He limped it into an Autozone and got out his tools he takes with him for the trip. Took the wheel off, freed up the caliper and changed the pads that were now badly chewed up on the one wheel, put it back together and drove it home. He changed the pads on the other side when he got it home and services the pins on that side as well. I would have called a tow truck and stayed the night, not done a repair in the parking lot. I laughed at the story but it's a perfect summary of my dad.

Wow, your Dad just became my hero. If I get stuck somewhere, perhaps he will drive by and save the day!

 

[StevieC]

He regularly pulls over to help those stranded on the side of the road. I keep telling him that it can be unsafe and I know he means well but you have no idea who you are dealing with but his heart is just too big to care about that. I have been with him for some of these detours. He's a good man through and through and will leave me big shoes to fill.

Another story, we were in Florida all together one year for Christmas and we were in a waffle house having breakfast and out the window he can see this elderly couple having issues with their Lincoln. The guy was cranking it but it wouldn't start. The older gentlemen proceeds to open the hood and look around. Before I could even glance over to my dad he was already making his way outside to ask them if he could help. My mom and I were still eating so we continued and watched as he helped them with their problem. They ended up having to get the vehicle towed because it wasn't something that could be fixed in the parking lot, but that's my dad. Always there to give folks a hand and never asking for anything in return.

Imagine how great the world would be if more were like him.

 

[UncleDave]

So sorry Steve- That awful disease has taken many loved ones close to me - and took my kidney.

Dad sounds like great people the world is a better place because of guys like him, everyone could take a lesson from that kind of behavior.


Dave

 

[StevieC]

Thanks UD. And I'm glad that the cancer on your kidney didn't take you as well.