The Invincible Man

"My dad is stronger than your dad." "Well, my dad is smarter than your dad." Many of us have gotten into childhood arguments with friends or adversaries over whose dad was the smartest, toughest, richest, etc. When you grow up with attentive, involved fathers, it is easy to begin to see them as larger than life. Seriously, my dad was always one of the strongest and the smartest. He was also hard-working and family-oriented. He had a passion for his faith and his family. He believed strongly in education, hard work, and loyalty. He still believes in those things, however, to look at him now, one would think he is helpless, hopeless, and haywire.

Let me back up about thirty years. When I was eight years old, I decided to sass my dad. I know that those who know me will find it shocking that I ever shot off my mouth, but it happened. I had been on a roll this particular day, so my dad wanted me to write 100 sentences stating, "I will speak respectfully to my mother and father." I refused! Normally I wasn't this disobedient, but for some reason I was feeling a bit empowered and rebellious this day. My dad had had enough. My mom was at a church function (she usually handled my discipline), but today it was up to Daddy. He told me that I was about to get a spanking, and I told him that he would have to catch me first. I figured, he's a big dude and he is older than me, he couldn't possibly catch me. I was wrong! I took off out the door and didn't even get up the driveway before he caught me. A couple of years later, I challenged him to a race in the driveway. He passed me in a matter of seconds. The above picture brought back those memories. My grand daughter challenged him to a race in my daughter's house. Of course, he could have won because he was in an electric wheelchair and she was on a scooter that was too small. He let her win, though. She also cheated because she jumped off and started running. It is those moments, as well as those of my father working two jobs to provide, fighting for his students who were mistreated, building churches and schools, and standing at our side holding us together when we lost loved ones that have brought me to the conclusion that my daddy is a super hero. I have always felt this.

Now, he struggles for his next breath. Now, he fights for clarity of thought. In June, of this year, he was diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Yesterday was a bad day at the hospital. He has to have nurses help him turn over. When he wanted to adjust his legs, I would have to pick them up for him. He words and thoughts were confused. He kept begging to sit up, but we could not lift him until physical therapy could come in and stabilize him. He was determined, though. I watched my weak, helpless dad force his legs over the side of the bed and with all his might, push himself up to sit. I just stood there and let him lean on me. I knew in that moment that was still superman. He has been in the hospital at least eight times since June. He is battling liver failure, kidney weakness, diabetes, high blood pressure, and now atrial fibrillation. But he is still pressing on. I know at times he wants to give up, but he is still hanging in there. He still asks about my mom, who is in an assisted living facility with dementia. He thrives when he gets visits from the grandkids and great grandkids. He wants to know his children are healthy and happy.

I am praying for a miracle. That is what he needs. No matter what his condition, though, I still see the strongest, smartest man I have ever known. My daddy is a superhero.