tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post9019339226305985383..comments2024-03-27T12:58:00.592-07:00Comments on Snowbrush: A troubled man’s re-conversion and deathSnowbrushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00436087215476479042noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-75222409602984106682012-05-16T20:10:03.543-07:002012-05-16T20:10:03.543-07:00You are an amazing writer! You often touch someth...You are an amazing writer! You often touch something in me that leads to tears...but you can make me laugh out loud too. And what you share is so human. I can't think of any other way to say it. <br />I moved to another city to be with my mom during her last 9 months...and when the time came I helped her exit. I am grateful I was able to keep her from one of those waiting for death places, or a long stay in a hospital bed all hooked up. Our hospice nurse said ''no matter what, do not call an ambulance''. That time is big in me. I loved her very, very much.<br />Snow I wish you were feeling better...wish I could help, as I'm sure all your readers do.<br />And I am so gland you have a Peggy in your life.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02037465392747165349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-60362859753361442742012-05-14T00:07:55.137-07:002012-05-14T00:07:55.137-07:00I applaud you because you both have so much patien...I applaud you because you both have so much patience. <br /><br />When my mother had dementia, I hired in-home help and spent two days a week with her. It was so exhausting to deal with her irrationality, I'm sure I could not have done it full-time.C Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13053858627632648020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-36996576247889133062012-04-28T07:11:26.190-07:002012-04-28T07:11:26.190-07:00I'm so glad you and Peggy stepped up to help y...I'm so glad you and Peggy stepped up to help your father during his years. You both did everything in your understanding and power to make his life more tolerable.<br /><br />"I’m proud that I didn’t ship him off to some waiting room for the grave like my sister wanted to do"...If I'd had the chance I would have done the same with my parents. It wasn't the case, though. <br /><br />Superb post! xxMarionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-61020078452273208702012-04-26T15:17:25.472-07:002012-04-26T15:17:25.472-07:00Snowbrush, I came here to respond to a comment you...Snowbrush, I came here to respond to a comment you left--somewhere?--asking about a 'dry drunk' syndrome. <br /><br />Answer: Alcoholism is a disease of which alcohol is but a symptom. So when I quit boozing long ago, the disease remained. It is one of thos illnesses which if ya don't have it...you simply CANNOT understand it, even counselors do NOT really 'know'.<br /><br />When discussing alcoholism, I can only speak for myself--the same with ANY alcoholic, although some think they really have all the answers.<br /><br />NOW, having said WHY I came here, I wish to tell you...I got to read some about you and your family in such well-placed words that I was touched deeply, on several levels.<br /><br />I shall return but probably never 'catch up'. Time--even at my age, is "of the essence" even though not in the real estate contractual meaning.<br />Thank you<br />PEACE! To ALL of us Peeps!steveronihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04010875412308487592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-63619843677086412292012-04-25T22:39:22.346-07:002012-04-25T22:39:22.346-07:00peggy indeed sounds like a gift, to you and your f...peggy indeed sounds like a gift, to you and your father. you're a lucky man. your father's preacher thinking you wanted the money for yourself was a riot. clean writing-- the relationships come through clearly.<br /><br />my dad asked me to off him as he drew near to a morphine-induced slow end to his stomach cancer. i said sure. i'd provide that service, just as i might ask for it someday. it never came to that.Ed Pilollahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09139531369534586168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-34919945283863534642012-04-25T06:27:04.376-07:002012-04-25T06:27:04.376-07:00Snow, I love it when you are "blunt as hell&q...Snow, I love it when you are "blunt as hell" because your comment was so succinctly put and allows me to know that my feelings can be put into one sentence: "There is absolutely nothing ennobling about Christianity". <br /><br />Their sense of being on a higher plane than others flies in the face of "religion" yet they never realize it.THINGS YOU'D NEVER GUESS ABOUT MEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10627183704637063465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-71142154545586291352012-04-24T15:22:23.198-07:002012-04-24T15:22:23.198-07:00Zuzana, I'm so glad you came by, babe. Hope yo...Zuzana, I'm so glad you came by, babe. Hope you're still enjoying that new family you picked up along life's way.<br /><br />"You seem to have more of a genuine heart and consideration for for others than most of the Christians I know."<br /><br />I'm going to be blunt as hell here. Where you have a deeply caring person who is a Christian, I believe with all my heart that he or she is that way DESPITE CHRISTIANITY rather than because of it. All Christianity does is to set the "sheep" apart in their own little tribes from which they look out at the rest of us (the "goats," as the Bible puts it) with a jaundiced eye and wonder (this is true for many millions of them) how they might better bring us under their control (hence the popularity of the Republican Party, although I'm aware that many Christians are not Republicans). There is absolutely nothing enobling about Christianity, and I can but say that I am very glad indeed to know a great many Christians who are somehow able to transcend their religion.Snowbrushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436087215476479042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-25007069430562152972012-04-24T15:01:29.294-07:002012-04-24T15:01:29.294-07:00This is another fantastically touching post from y...This is another fantastically touching post from you. My dad's been deeply religious (and deeply abusive) for most of his life, and I honestly don't know how I'd handle it if he needed me to take care of him. You seem to have more of a genuine heart and consideration for for others than most of the Christians I know.Phoenixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07477498671080132176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-49579627652631897162012-04-24T03:42:15.808-07:002012-04-24T03:42:15.808-07:00A great read as always. I love the way you write, ...A great read as always. I love the way you write, because you do not hold back. I love your honesty. Love and being with someone we love gets us through anything. I think the love between you and Peggy is what made your father's last years happy.;) There is nothing like when a great man meets a great woman.<br />Thank you for stopping by my place, I am on an extended break, living life and loving it - just got engaged.;) Stopped by here as the cover picture of this post peaked my curiosity (it shows on my sidebar).;)<br />And by the way, what is Lyptis?;)<br />Take care, be back blogging at the end of May or so;))<br />xoxoZuzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02137958790178864561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-13769644900051692422012-04-21T13:43:55.989-07:002012-04-21T13:43:55.989-07:00"You two are good people..."
Thank you,..."You two are good people..."<br /><br />Thank you, Fodder. I know that I annoy you at times, and compliments from people who have their issues with me mean a great deal.Snowbrushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436087215476479042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-26098975190670272932012-04-21T12:43:29.271-07:002012-04-21T12:43:29.271-07:00You two are good people, Snowbrush. You did right ...You two are good people, Snowbrush. You did right by your dad even if it was hard.The Blog Fodderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11441978691701289074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-82109090607872805062012-04-19T20:24:26.576-07:002012-04-19T20:24:26.576-07:00"Peggy knows psychology it would appear!"..."Peggy knows psychology it would appear!"<br /><br />She's had a lot of informal field experience, you might say because of insanity in her family and mine. Oddly, she has always held a very strong and unwavering resolve to avoid at all costs working on the psych ward. I could never BE a nurse, but if I were a nurse, I would head straight for the psych ward as did my half-sister.Snowbrushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436087215476479042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-29128269693720865422012-04-19T19:46:17.670-07:002012-04-19T19:46:17.670-07:00Peggy knows psychology it would appear!Peggy knows psychology it would appear!Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-63009161053099527402012-04-19T08:25:58.849-07:002012-04-19T08:25:58.849-07:00I found this post so touching, the strength of you...I found this post so touching, the strength of you and Peggy, the patience you had, and the love you have for each other too, under what was the most trying of circumstances. <br />"Death is no stranger to me, and I have complete confidence that I could euthanize anyone. If you’re horrified by this, let me inform you that I’m no less horrified to live in a country that thinks it’s God’s will to let people suffer to any extreme, no matter how hopeless their condition." Not horrified of course, I agree entirely and admire you for saying so. I'm glad you and Peggy have the time you have now together, albeit with your health problems. Having love like that and being in pain is immeasurably better than being well with no love at all. And then there's all of us loving you too. xxAll Consuminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03089119991474852732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-17568477930538118502012-04-19T07:00:46.270-07:002012-04-19T07:00:46.270-07:00Oh my, I'm glad I've never been faced with...Oh my, I'm glad I've never been faced with having to make such a decision but I admire you, Snow, and your Peggy; that can't have been easy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16813508472498593787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-11173772235457461412012-04-17T10:04:01.246-07:002012-04-17T10:04:01.246-07:00Dear Snow...how well I understand this post. My F...Dear Snow...how well I understand this post. My Father died from congestive heart failure too. I was his caregiver for the final 18 months of life...but the last two he spent in hospital because I was working, recently seperated and couldn't physically lift him. I was at the hospital every night - all day on weekends...and it was hard to watch him slowly fade. He slipped into a coma his final week.... It was rough....you and Peggy know....<br /><br />Peggy is an Angel (sorry - but in my eyes, she is)....and you, too handled a difficult situation as best you could....you were a good son...your father knows this.<br /><br />Big Hugs to you and Peggy...and of course, to the Fur0Kids!<br /><br />♥ Robin ♥Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15247046205493711677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-53936542947407989622012-04-17T04:27:00.474-07:002012-04-17T04:27:00.474-07:00What an incredible love story, Snow. It made me l...What an incredible love story, Snow. It made me love Peggy even more. I would have loved to have talked to your Dad. Sounds like he was a man ahead of his time, a real individual in a world of clones. You were truly blessed to have each other. Great post!! xoMarionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14786883679294446945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-71594902656851304802012-04-17T03:36:03.352-07:002012-04-17T03:36:03.352-07:00Thank you dearest for sharing this. I'm so ple...Thank you dearest for sharing this. I'm so pleased your dad had you and Peggy.... I really identify with the way you had to communicate with him so that he wouldn't get upset...this is where I am now with my own Dad...always a difficult man but more so with dementia added to the mix...I can't relate to the belief in God but my Dad's always been 'Catholic' and these days I really don't mind...it does seem to give him comfort...he really believes that he'll soon go to be with God... It's a damned difficult job this looking after aging parents, but, I suspect, a privilege too...a time for patience and growth... It's a bit like having babies again...and we all know they need to be treated kindly and have lots of gentle touches...Chrisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954004833710064612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-77390765247361155522012-04-16T19:43:53.156-07:002012-04-16T19:43:53.156-07:00Snow, amen to all the above.
I agree with your dad...Snow, amen to all the above.<br />I agree with your dad that the King James version is the best. While presenting myth as fact, and a genocidal maniac as a loving god, it still manages to fool people into believing otherwise, partly by employing such beautiful language!<br />However, as I head into the last act of my life, I cannot believe a loving god, who created our amazingly complex birth process, could fail to provide a similarly efficient exit!Stafford Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03048757515249725540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-44821279905858036022012-04-16T13:25:13.296-07:002012-04-16T13:25:13.296-07:00Snow you are always a good read. I always end up s...Snow you are always a good read. I always end up spending a good bit of time here reading one post after another. Hope you have a good SpringJoe Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07960458164425338569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-87351860792989845262012-04-16T11:44:17.342-07:002012-04-16T11:44:17.342-07:00Those whom the gods would destroy they first make ...Those whom the gods would destroy they first make mad. About right in your Dad's case Snowy.<br /><br />Again, religion has so much to answer for. Makes everybody mad, in more ways than one.<br /><br />Catholic church is the maddest of the mad. The heads of this so-called church can all go to hell as they are no use on earth. They have so many crass ideas whilst some of their priests are vile paedos.<br /><br />Thank God I'm not religious!PhilipHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06811831703263176415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-25425182664362003592012-04-16T11:35:08.378-07:002012-04-16T11:35:08.378-07:00I relate very much to this episode of your life an...I relate very much to this episode of your life and Peggy's. It's so hard to be a caretaker. <br /><br />My mother, now deceased, had a good temperament. But due to Alzheimer's, her behaviors were too difficult for me to manage at home after six years. Mother-in-law has been difficult all her life. After four years, we couldn't continue to tolerate her behaviors either. We cared for her for four years at home, then wound up putting them both in nursing homes. Mother-in-law is very unhappy there, but she was unhappy always. She reminds me a little of your dad. She's ninety-two. Anyway, I do admire that you and Peggy persevered 'til the end.Myrna R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15088915165678737118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-64490750898656754332012-04-16T11:06:37.524-07:002012-04-16T11:06:37.524-07:00What a beautiful tribute to your Peggy! I so do no...What a beautiful tribute to your Peggy! I so do not understand why euthanasia is considered so horrible. I would rather just get it over with rather than bear the suffering I've seen...CreekHiker / HollysFollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14987597104795294851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-17874629029272212412012-04-16T11:03:52.517-07:002012-04-16T11:03:52.517-07:00I thank you all so much. Yes, Dion, I've writt...I thank you all so much. Yes, Dion, I've written about my father previously, but I didn't consult the earlier post in the writing of this one, so I don't even know how they differ. The previous one was written prior to marijuana, and this one while high. I find that marijuana often leads me to write many times about the same experience, but each time from a different angle. Since my last post was about my own religion, it seemed natural in this post to write about my father from the perspective of his religion.<br /><br />"Now I can understand even better why you don't believe in God."<br /><br />It has nothing to do with my father. I was at my most religious during my teens and twenties, which was a time when my father neither spoke about religion nor went to church, at least not very often. My doubts started at age 11 or 12 and concerned the fact that God was presented to me as good, yet he did much evil in the Old Testament. I couldn't reconcile the two, and neither could anyone else, so, although I was very devoted to my religion at the time, my ever increasing doubts were pulling me from it.Snowbrushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436087215476479042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23830899.post-33560904178113746652012-04-16T06:14:22.636-07:002012-04-16T06:14:22.636-07:00Dude, am I losing my mind or did you write about y...Dude, am I losing my mind or did you write about your dad's religion in a previous post. I distinctly remember the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes part. Deja vu?<br /><br />As happenstance would have it, I've enjoyed the first correspondence with my father in about 20 years. I feel more whole. Our silence shouldn't have gone on like this, year after year. I should have reached out to my dad a long time ago, but I waited... and waited... until so much time had passed that I couldn't bring myself to contact him. Thankfully, he finally wrote me a letter last week to break the ice. Tears of joy.Dionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07094443267132622902noreply@blogger.com