Dad fell and suffered a severe brain injury.  I’m on the way to Rockville to meet my sister and mother.  The plane just isn’t flying fast enough.

The rain pounds the metal roof of my car

as the drops slowly fall onto the windshield.

The rolling thunder keeps the beat of the wipers;

back-and-forth, back-and-forth, back-and-forth.

Big raindrops splatter and it seems like one drop equals a puddle.

I stand outside with my face to the sky.

The raindrops become my tears.

Life as I know it, has forever changed.

I’m getting a new tattoo. “You may not remember, but I’ll never forget.”  Dad hates tattoos as much as I hate dementia.

I got to Facetime with Dad, today.  The Rabbi called from the rehab center so that he could see my face and I could see his.  It was a beautiful sight.

I said, “I love you,” and he said “I love you and I’ve always loved you.”

Wait, was he talking to me, his daughter, or did he think I was his wife?  My mom and I look an awful lot alike.

My dad was taken back to the ER by the caregiver and admitted.  He was very disoriented and non-responsive.  I got to speak to him before she took him, thank goodness.

He would never return home, again.

Dad, I need to say goodbye before you forget me.

(to be continued…)