My dad turned eighty-seven yesterday. Such a long life! He always used to say that the secret to his good health and looks was "clean living and self-denial." Haha! He was always strong and a hard worker. He had his bad habits, but no more than anyone else. And that temper! Whew! What a temper.
Who knows, really, what causes one person to live longer than another, especially within the same family. He has outlived his parents and all of his siblings. He has never been tolerant of other people's frailties. He believes everyone should, and can, be as strong and healthy as he is. If they are not, there is something wrong with them.
I always thought that was mean-thinking, but he has lived longer than anyone else in my family and Mike's family. He has had far fewer health issues than anyone I know. The few issues he has had, were recovered from quickly. So it makes me wonder why some people live longer and healthier than others.
In Scripture, God gives a few guidelines for long life but, as far as I know, my dad never followed them. He had his addictions yet seems to have no ill effects from them in his long life. He was forced to eat somewhat healthy while my mom was alive, but after she died his diet consisted of peanut butter and crackers, Little Caesar's pizza, and hamburgers from Jack in the Box. Not a healthy diet from any perspective! Mike's grandparents lived till their early 80's and their diets were horrible. Lots of fat and grease, yet both of them were thin.
Some say "Only the good die young." I have pondered that. My Dad is no better than anyone, but certainly no worse. I could write out a laundry list of his flaws, but I could do the same for myself, as well.
I am beginning to think that life is a crap-shoot. Only God knows the length of our lives and when we will die. So, instead of wasting my time wondering why some live longer than others, I think I should just concern myself with living my life in the way I believe God wants for me and eat a healthy diet. My times are in His hands, however long or short.
Happy Birthday, Dad! May the rest of your years bring peace, joy, and clarity of mind.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Life Marches on
It has been a while since I last posted. So much has happened. Most notably, in 2017, we lost Butchie and Riley exactly one week apart. Butchie had been sick with congestive heart failure and seizures for about a year and on Saturday, April 8th, he seized for 6 1/2 hours. It was time to let him go. I was devastated.
One week later, Saturday, April 15th, Riley woke up not feeling good. I took him to the vet and she said she was very worried about him and kept him for a few hours in an oxygenated crate. We brought him home and an hour later, he stretched, looked at Mike, and died! We were in shock. We miss our boys so much.
In July 2017, Mike had another open heart surgery, this time to repair his mitral valve. He came through it very well and it seemed to help his energy level for a while.
In November, 2017, we got another dog, a girl this time, named Sweetie. Mike had been missing Riley terribly and wanted another dog. Sweetie is a hyper little chiweenie. Mozzie and Ziggy love her.
In December, 2017, Mike was taken by ambulance from work to the hospital. He had a mild heart attack.
On February 8th, I took Mozzie and Ziggy Pants to bed, as usual, and when I awoke, Ziggy was dead. He had died sometime in the night. Ziggy was my heart and soul and the dachshund that started all this dachshund madness. I told him all the time that he was practically perfect in every way! I miss that little boy so much!
It is hard to get used to my three dachshund boys being gone. They were such a part of my life and I feel lost without them. Mike's doctor wants to do a heart ablation and cut off all electrical circuitry to his heart. He will then put in a powerful pacemaker that will pump his heart for him. I had carpal tunnel surgery three weeks ago and am still in considerable pain. Our son and daughter-in-law moved from California to Omaha in July of 2016. And our sweet daughter is getting married this year!
Life marches on with or without our permission and we cling to our Lord for help and hope. God is good ALL the time.
One week later, Saturday, April 15th, Riley woke up not feeling good. I took him to the vet and she said she was very worried about him and kept him for a few hours in an oxygenated crate. We brought him home and an hour later, he stretched, looked at Mike, and died! We were in shock. We miss our boys so much.
In July 2017, Mike had another open heart surgery, this time to repair his mitral valve. He came through it very well and it seemed to help his energy level for a while.
In November, 2017, we got another dog, a girl this time, named Sweetie. Mike had been missing Riley terribly and wanted another dog. Sweetie is a hyper little chiweenie. Mozzie and Ziggy love her.
In December, 2017, Mike was taken by ambulance from work to the hospital. He had a mild heart attack.
On February 8th, I took Mozzie and Ziggy Pants to bed, as usual, and when I awoke, Ziggy was dead. He had died sometime in the night. Ziggy was my heart and soul and the dachshund that started all this dachshund madness. I told him all the time that he was practically perfect in every way! I miss that little boy so much!
It is hard to get used to my three dachshund boys being gone. They were such a part of my life and I feel lost without them. Mike's doctor wants to do a heart ablation and cut off all electrical circuitry to his heart. He will then put in a powerful pacemaker that will pump his heart for him. I had carpal tunnel surgery three weeks ago and am still in considerable pain. Our son and daughter-in-law moved from California to Omaha in July of 2016. And our sweet daughter is getting married this year!
Life marches on with or without our permission and we cling to our Lord for help and hope. God is good ALL the time.
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