Reflecting

Dad is still hanging on. His vitals are somewhat declining especially his Blood Oxygen. Cindy said he had a rough night last night trying to spit up flem. He finally started getting some rest this morning.

Today I went and played Pickleball. I had to take a longer route home from the courts due to a water main issue that had my normal route home closed down. This was fine because I needed to run my golf cart battery down so I could charge it. As I was driving around running the battery down I reflected on so many different moments from my childhood that I was fortunate enough to have, because of my parents. At the time when some of those memories were created it did not seem all that significant and/or fun but as I grew older I came to understand they were very good life lessons and were funner and/or funnier as time passed.

Some of these memories were from when I was fairly young (6) and many were when I was older. When Dad does pass on, he will take a lifetime of memories with him. My parents could write a book on all of the crazy stuff they have had occur during their time together. Some of those are still occurring.

Saturday, mom was home by herself and she notice a guy walking out on the interstate. I am not 100% clear on all of the details, but the guy ended up sitting out near the frontage road and pulled out a hammer and was hammering away on a guardrail. The sheriff was called and a deputy was dispatched, but I don’t know what Barney Fife they sent out but he could not find the guy and left. Well the dude showed back up and the Sheriff was called again and Mom asked if there was any law enforcement closer. Well two Forest Service Law Enforcement officers showed up and they detained the dude until the Sheriff deputy arrived back on location and they took the guy to Boulder, MT. Now Mom said she found it ironic and got a chuckle out of the Forest Service Law Enforcement showing up. For those that don’t know my Dad is a retired Forest Service Law Enforcement special agent. He will take many memories and experiences from that job with him to heaven.

Dad recieved several commendations over his years of working. He even was involved in capturing a FBI most wanted criminal. That one is quite the story and involves Jennifer’s Dad as well.

At the time my Dad was looking for a newer pickup truck. Jennifer’s Dad saw this guy at the local donut store and saw he had a truck for sale. So he got the guys info and passed it to my Dad. This guy was staying at the Butte KOA campground. So Dad contacts the guy and goes meet with him. The guy was weird as you know what and Dad was picking up a lot of weird vibes from the guy. In addition to the truck, the guys was trying to sell a bunch of tools. Dad could tell all of the tools were likely stolen. This guy has no idea that my Dad was in law enforcement and Dad kept chatting him up and mentally noting all what this guys is telling him. He tells the guy he interested but will need to get back with him. He left and immediately got with the Butte police and they went and busted the guy and that is when they found out he was on the FBI most wanted list.

One talent my Dad has was he did not know a stranger, he could chat up a fence post if he wanted. One time Jennifer and I met up with Mom and Dad in Los Angeles to go to a cousins wedding. We had to get on a bus to go get our rental car. Dad started chatting with this guy and his teenage son that were on the bus and was going full out. He was getting all of the details of why they were in town, where they were going, how long they were staying, etc. I am sure that poor guy was happy to see the end of that bus ride. Jennifer always got a real chuckle out of that story from that trip.

As I mentioned my sisters and I were blessed to have our parents. They spoiled us and we never really wanted for anything. They taught each of us of a good work ethic and made sure we knew we could achieve anything if we put our mind to it and were willing to work for it. I really did not appreciate the sacrifices they made how much they did for us until I was out on my own.

Well enough for today.