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It's been a long time...
19 years ago
Listening to: Nas 2nd Childhood (Cookin Soul Remix) available for listening at:http://www.toddkelley.net/2005-09-0.....php?autoplay=1
Some real head-noddin' stuff goin on in 2007.
Life in 2006...it was a rough ride toward the end. Some ups...some downs. Getting better with each day.
My father is recovering from a stroke that occurred on Nov 21st. Before this, he was a semi-retired behavioral psychologist and mobile therapist with widespread success in helping troubled families. He was a published writer and received his Master's degree with a 4.0 GPA. There's nothing like watching your father - a man you've looked up to as a child, and respected as an adult - curled fetus-like in a cold bed, mumbling incoherently, nearly suffocated by tubes and a constant droning beep that's reminding me that he could've passed away just before Thanksgiving.
Two weeks after he was in the hospital, Dad was transferred to a nearby therapy facility. His first night there was absolutely the scariest, most heartbreaking situation I've had to endure. Just a few minutes before I planned to leave for home, dad started shivering uncontrollably in his bed and couldn't stop. He was visibly scared - already confused and disoriented from the stroke, and staring at me with tears in his eyes. This is a man who I've never seen cry before. He's always been the pillar that everyone looked to solve their problems. I knelt by his bed, held his hand tight and hugged him while the nurses frantically tried to inject something to calm him. All I could do is reassure him that he was going to be okay, and I wouldn't leave his side until he was.
Things sometimes happen to teach you a lesson...how to deal with life, to understand that no one has it that easy, and to realize that everyone has their own unique problems. I am the only family member nearby, and the first to hear that Dad was in the hospital. Since then, I've tried coordinating all of dad's affairs while he recovers...doctor visits, bills, family communication, etc, while holding down the job and finishing another semester of classes. Since then, my weight training regimen had stopped, MFA finals were extended into January, and a recent doctor visit warned me to watch my blood pressure. It always feels impossible to undertake until you're into the mix, dealing with it, and realizing that it could be a helluva lot worse. I've broken down a few times when there was too much for one person to do. Thankfully, family from a few states away were there to pick up the pieces.
Someone is looking out for him...he passed out at a bank right in front of a policeman, who immediately called for an ambulance. If he didn't venture out that day, I might have lost him.
Dad's recovering quickly - his speech has partially returned and he's gaining weight again. Doctors say that with an eye exam and official evaluation by the therapy facility, he may start driving again in several weeks. Until then, he's got me, and I'm glad that I've have him.
That pretty much explains my absence from posting anything on FA for the past 3 months. Been silently admiring everyone else's accomplishments for the while. One thing is for sure. There is no shortage of talent in this crazy world. I'm glad to be in close company as far as that's concerned. You guys rock.
Classes ended with A's in both subjects. Am thankful for empathetic professors who extended the finals due date. Going back into weight training Monday night. Not about to disappoint the ladies out there, or myself. ;3
I hope that someone listens to that Nas "2nd childhood" song. I played that one repeatedly when trying to write this, over the course of an hour. It's a beautiful song...smooth and mellow. 2007...I hope that you take it easy on us all.
Some real head-noddin' stuff goin on in 2007.
Life in 2006...it was a rough ride toward the end. Some ups...some downs. Getting better with each day.
My father is recovering from a stroke that occurred on Nov 21st. Before this, he was a semi-retired behavioral psychologist and mobile therapist with widespread success in helping troubled families. He was a published writer and received his Master's degree with a 4.0 GPA. There's nothing like watching your father - a man you've looked up to as a child, and respected as an adult - curled fetus-like in a cold bed, mumbling incoherently, nearly suffocated by tubes and a constant droning beep that's reminding me that he could've passed away just before Thanksgiving.
Two weeks after he was in the hospital, Dad was transferred to a nearby therapy facility. His first night there was absolutely the scariest, most heartbreaking situation I've had to endure. Just a few minutes before I planned to leave for home, dad started shivering uncontrollably in his bed and couldn't stop. He was visibly scared - already confused and disoriented from the stroke, and staring at me with tears in his eyes. This is a man who I've never seen cry before. He's always been the pillar that everyone looked to solve their problems. I knelt by his bed, held his hand tight and hugged him while the nurses frantically tried to inject something to calm him. All I could do is reassure him that he was going to be okay, and I wouldn't leave his side until he was.
Things sometimes happen to teach you a lesson...how to deal with life, to understand that no one has it that easy, and to realize that everyone has their own unique problems. I am the only family member nearby, and the first to hear that Dad was in the hospital. Since then, I've tried coordinating all of dad's affairs while he recovers...doctor visits, bills, family communication, etc, while holding down the job and finishing another semester of classes. Since then, my weight training regimen had stopped, MFA finals were extended into January, and a recent doctor visit warned me to watch my blood pressure. It always feels impossible to undertake until you're into the mix, dealing with it, and realizing that it could be a helluva lot worse. I've broken down a few times when there was too much for one person to do. Thankfully, family from a few states away were there to pick up the pieces.
Someone is looking out for him...he passed out at a bank right in front of a policeman, who immediately called for an ambulance. If he didn't venture out that day, I might have lost him.
Dad's recovering quickly - his speech has partially returned and he's gaining weight again. Doctors say that with an eye exam and official evaluation by the therapy facility, he may start driving again in several weeks. Until then, he's got me, and I'm glad that I've have him.
That pretty much explains my absence from posting anything on FA for the past 3 months. Been silently admiring everyone else's accomplishments for the while. One thing is for sure. There is no shortage of talent in this crazy world. I'm glad to be in close company as far as that's concerned. You guys rock.
Classes ended with A's in both subjects. Am thankful for empathetic professors who extended the finals due date. Going back into weight training Monday night. Not about to disappoint the ladies out there, or myself. ;3
I hope that someone listens to that Nas "2nd childhood" song. I played that one repeatedly when trying to write this, over the course of an hour. It's a beautiful song...smooth and mellow. 2007...I hope that you take it easy on us all.
I remember Illmatic and the second album after that. The tape version had extra songs. Extra songs for the poor.