When you have an elderly parent (or if you're lucky, parents) and you don't live close to him/her, it's just frustrating as all get out. I don't live THAT far from Dad (five hours by car) but as I get older that five hours goes by slower and slower and slower and watching me get out of the car upon arrival must be hilarious: moaning, groaning, desperate grabbing onto something so I don't fall flat on my face since my legs oftentimes refuse to unbend. If we drive the pickup, forget it. I just fall out, Mike picks me up, I dust myself off and hobble inside.
Pathetic. Being an old fartess is just a bitch sometimes.
I call Dad as much as I can but he goes to dialysis three times a week and doesn't get reception in the unit, and then he's pretty pooped after having all his blood flushed out. He spends 3/4 of the day on Sunday at church, he attends luncheons with the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) AND flits hither and yon to this party and that meeting. I swear, if he could drive himself he'd NEVER be home!
Since several of you fine followers have developed little crushes on Dad (when I told him that, he about busted his buttons!), I thought, "Hey! Let's REALLY inflate his ego! I'll start a fan club for him!"
Now, I'm not going to charge dues or write a freakin' newsletter or issue membership cards but I AM going to have the very talented Miss Rachel of Two Dog Pond create a bunch of her fabulous pendants as giveaways! They can either be put on necklaces or keychains and will announce to the entire world that you're a fan of GJB!
If you're interested, just let me know via a comment below. Oh, and there will be some fun surprises for fan club members, too. Woo hoo!!
P.S. The photo was taken for inclusion in his church membership roster. He noted that no one told him not to wear a black shirt since the photograph was going to be taken against a black background. Yes, it DOES look like a floating head tethered by a bolo tie. Sort of a "Buddy Balloon" (Dad's nickname is Buddy). And by the way, those are his actual teeth! Hey, he was married to a dental hygienist for half of his adult life for pete's sake! Sadly, I inherited my mother's sorry excuse for a mouth.
Wonder if I can find a company who can make us some Buddy Balloons? What a hoot!
I haven't commented on your Dad previously, but he sounds like a total hoot! I lost my own Dad 26yrs ago to cancer, when he was just 54 yrs old. My Mom will celebrate her 80th birthday next month, and I thank every higher power that she's with us, active and feisty. Our society so often devalues aging that it's lovely to see an older gentleman given the recognition he deserves. A fan club for your Dad? Indeed! I only wish my Dad were here to have a fan club of his own.
ReplyDeleteAs you know I still have my father and I know you know how lucky we are to still have them!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be fan club member Chris!
Got to tell my Dad this......maybe you have just started something!
Jim
OF COURSE I want to be in the fan club! Your dad has an advantage over mine...he's alive!!
ReplyDeleteYou need to get him better coverage in the unit. Maybe the fan club can get a cell tower installed close by.
That is just the sweetest post and your dad sounds like a great guy! Perhaps he should start autographing some photos for that fan club...you never know where things like this can go! Give him an extra hug next time you see him from a fan.
ReplyDeleteYes I not only want to be in his fan club, but I want him to adopt me too lol...
ReplyDeleteI feel a cat fight coming on! Is there enough Buddy to go around? He is such a looker! I second the autographed photos. Where do we send our SASE? Go Buddy!
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to still have him. He sounds like wonderful Dad. I want to be a fan!!
ReplyDeleteMy e-mail address is TCClayton2@suddenlink.com
ReplyDeleteI guess since he's your dad, you get to be President of his fan club. Put me down for a pendant. I'd love to have one.
ReplyDeleteGirl you know I have crushed on your Dad since you first showed his picture last year! I am so in and think I'm a
ReplyDelete'charter member' for sure! hugs, Linda
I just adore your dad and his attitude. I would LOVE to belong to his fan club! IT will be an 'international' fan club then!
ReplyDeleteOh I wanna be a member! I can make some stickers for us...I work at a sign shop! Can we send him cards and make him blush? LOL!
ReplyDeleteMy Dad is 93 and lives 3 hours away from me, so I know what you mean about the long drive and how uncomfortable it gets, the older we get. I just wish my Dad was more active like your Dad is. I think your Dad is way cool and I would love to have a Buddy balloon or pendant.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen that show 'Oddities'?? There is an episode with a guy that makes bizarre marionettes out of vintage prosthetics... one in particular is the lower portion of a leg with dentures where the knee should be... 8-) Sorry, just rambling! Of course I'm a Buddy Groupie - How could I help but be a fan of anybody that could produce a warped er um I mean wonderful mind like yours 8-)... (just joking!!)
ReplyDeleteEW EW EW Sign me up Sign me up!!! I'm a huge fan of that amazing man :) :)!!! We are so lucky! Love the blog Gogita! You funny guh! muah!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable idea! I know how you feel. I am here in Texas and Daddy is in Florida. 78 years young and he got hit on in front of my step mother at the American Legion! lolol! I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a guy! He is just so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI lost my father in 2009, and your Dad is in line for all the loving mine would have had, and I know my own dad would regard George as a worthy recipient! (Dad is almost certainly in Valhalla, chatting up the bar-wenches, as he was always a babe-magnet, just like your dad has proved to be!)
Give him a huge hug from me xxx