Saturday, May 31, 2014

A Good Man

In recent posts I've mentioned my pop-in-law's medical crisis.  It has now come to an end and I feel compelled to share.  Bear with me.  This is an art blog and I'll include how my artist was affected, though it seems a small thing compared to his struggle.

2014 will always be the year without spring.  Flowers bloomed, leaves appeared, and nests were filled.  We scarcely noticed.  Early tulips held no joy.  Recent irises are melancholy.  I couldn't draw spring.  I managed a few other pages.  Some held concerning objects like prescription bottles and hospital masks.  Others, though not medical, will forever be markers of the ordeal, such as the day we took my pop-in-law back to the hospital or the moment of hope at the nursing facility.






Days and weeks passed.  Improvements were fleeting.  Father and son are close, having farmed together since forever.  The growing concern weighed on my husband.  My sisters-in-law came often, but between visits relied on us for information - worrying at times from afar.  I had no desire to sketch or even cook.  We existed on a drive thru diet to and from the hospital.  We watched my pop-in-law's health sink beyond hope.  There was little comfort in food or nature or art.  I've seen other bloggers draw their loved ones in the hospital.  I couldn't.  The man in the bed was not the spirited, jovial man I had known for 30 years.  To draw him now seemed a betrayal.

Al lived a long, good life and was a man of faith.  He was a husband, father, grandpa, farmer, veteran, dancer, welder, crooner, poker player, bowler, galushki maker, and favorite uncle.  Extended family was precious to him.  He was quick-witted and had an amazing knack with one-liners.  He was ready to lend a hand or give advice.  When he offered praise, it was honest and true.  He was grateful for harvest field meals, but it took years to earn a firm compliment of my cooking.  What a day of victory that was!  I will miss our banter.

We are in process of digitizing old faculty files in my office and last week I came across a lovely comment regarding the 1941 death of the university president.  The sentiment expressed suits my pop-in-law...


My son aptly stated yesterday - It's still sad and weird, but we will be alright.  Healing will be found in each other and, to some extent for me, in sketching life continuing around us.

6 comments:

Stinky Junior said...

How beautifully and touchingly written. So very sorry for your loss of such an important man. BTW, what is galushki?

Aggie said...

Thank you SJ.

In this area of the country, a galushki is a Volga German food. I couldn't find a good link as it apparently doesn't refer to the same thing elsewhere. Ground beef and/or sausage is mixed with rice and wrapped in cabbage leaves. They are basically boiled - often with sauerkraut added. Al made galushkies for holidays.

Cathy said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a great man and I'm sure your husband is a reflection of him. You wrote a wonderful tribute to him. Keep sketching and writing.

Aggie said...

Thanks for the very kind words & support Cathy.

Serena Lewis said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your pop-in-law was obviously an amazing man and he would be very proud of you for writing such a beautiful tribute to honour him.

Aggie said...

Thank you so much Serena.

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