Hello again guys.

So a lot has finally calmed down around the house. My sister finally sent all of her family back to Michigan. None of them really needed to be there at all. Half of them had never even met my father. I assume they were there for the free trip to Arizona and not to visit my ill father. Oh well, they are gone now; the house is now a lot less hectic.

My sister Tammy flew in last week from New Jersey. This surprised everyone but me. I knew she was coming thanks to the magic of social networking, ha. I will tell you though, when my two sisters are in the same room you can cut the tension with a knife it was so palpable. I was glad to see her though, even if my other sisters side of the family was fuming.

And now in about a week, my sister and brother-in-law should be headed back to Michigan. I would not have been able to do much without them being there for my dad in terms of paperwork and speaking with doctors because I'm still working full-time. I appreciate that much, but there comes a time when it's finally right to pack up and go own with their own lives.
X
I found out, weeks before my dad had his 15 hour surgery, what was said between Dr. Nagazato and my father. When asked (in front of my sister and brother-in-law) if there was one person to take care of him during the recovery months that followed he answered quickly and firmly. "My son Sam will be there, he's 21 and he can take care of me," he told them. I later found out that this sent my 40-something sister into an angry attention starved frenzy as she didn't get recognition as the "golden child" from my dad that she has strived for all of my 21 years here.

There's an old saying that is relevant to this situation that I'd like to use. I'm paraphrasing but it goes something like: "visitors are like fish; they begin to smell after three days." Now you can imagine 4 months now of this odor getting worse and worse and I'm just relieved to know it's almost over. You know what, I don't care if they believe I'm the black sheep of my dad's children. My dad loves me unconditionally and nothing will ever change that.

I'm holding up. I have to learn this bile removal thing for my dad with this pump that removes excess. I'm back to full 40 hour weeks at work. It's been over a year since I've had my full hours; I hope it stays that way. I'm seriously considering switching to sales, either part time or full time. It's something that after experiencing it a little bit, I feel as though I have a knack for it.

Jeanie contacted me the other day. She told me she's in rehab; and I'm happy for her. I miss that girl to an extreme degree; I don't even think I've seen her this year at all. That girl was the world to me and not a day goes by that I don't think about her well-being.


As for music, I'd recommend Matisyahu's new album "Light." Also, Third Eye Blinds new album: "Ursa Major."

Anyway, until next time

Cheers,
- Sammers