My Dad's Health

As I got off of the bus this past Wednesday, I received a text from my brother. The text told me that my Dad's kidneys were failing and that he wasn't doing well. I just stared at my phone. How could my Father be so sick, so suddenly? Could his time here on Earth be close to ending? I felt too young to have this prospect.

I forwarded the text I received to Airin, who was waiting for me at our apartment. When I arrived home, she immediately embraced me. Airin decided not to work that night so we could go down and visit my parents. I'm so grateful for her support.

Visiting my parents that night was a special experience. My perspective changed; my school assignments and other insignificant things in life seemed so trivial. Being faced with the prospect of having my Father sick changed everything.

My Father has overcome many trials and hardships in his life. From having an extremely dysfunctional family growing up, to beating colon cancer in the early 90's, my Father has persevered through much. And I haven't ever heard him complain about any of those trials.

This time around, we aren't sure what is exactly what is wrong. For weeks my Dad has struggled with energy, fatigue and sleeping. Initial tests indicated that his kidneys are working at a 27% capacity and there may be some sort of tumor in his neck. The Doctor wasn't sure what it was or what effect it has on him.

As I am writing this, my Dad is at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, taking additional tests. I hope they can find out exactly what is going on and how to help him feel better. I know he hates being there, but I know it is for the best.

Me and my Father circa 1988.

So if you're reading this, I ask for your prayers on his behalf. I love my Dad very much and know through faith everything will work out.

Comfort Food

Often times, Mark and I commiserate together about how being a grown-up is no fun. Why is that we always think as children that life will be so much better when we can drive, date, stay up late, move out, etc? I'm sitting here trying to think of a reason that kids think that...maybe because they feel like their parents will be off their backs? I don't know. But now as an adult, I long for the carefree days of being a kid. Or even just a college student. Life seemed much simpler then. Yes, I had responsibilities, but now I have a "real" grown-up life complete with all the stresses that come with it. Some how I'll need to learn how to cope with all of these stresses in ways other than wishing to be younger. Because, obviously, that will never happen. And it never helps my situation or stress level when I dwell on it.

But I have found something that helps me feel better, if only for a few minutes. My comfort foods. I'll admit, I tend to be an emotional eater. I'm working on it. But for now, I'll share a few of my favorites. I think these foods bring me comfort because they are foods I ate as a child and loved. These foods give me happy memories.

Tomato soup....mmmm. Had this the other day with grilled cheese sandwiches and it was delicious!

Macaroni and cheese, the fake kind Kraft, Kroger, or Western Family. Mark hates that I like it, but any other fancy kind just doesn't do it for me.

Mashed potatoes. Potatoes are my favorite vegetable (I don't care if it has tons of starch). Any way you can prepare them, I'll eat it and probably love it. But my all time favorite is when they are mashed and served with gravy. Anyone remember chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes and gravy Wednesday in high school?? Mmmmm....

Here's to hoping that somehow and sometime soon, I find a way to be happy in the moment and decrease my stress level. Until then, I'll always have my favorite comfort foods.