cjjoyce1 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'm not one who posts pity-party stuff, and I'm not looking for anything here but a place to write. I'm not a blogger, and I don't want to put this up on Facebook, because. ..well because. My afternoon certainly falls under the "no good deed goes unpunished" category and I spent it helping elderly men. First off is my 87yr old father-in-law. The man knows nothing about computers and despite being very educated and well read, has always in all the years I've known him put up a wall and blinders on when it comes to anything regarding them. His computer has NOTHING on it except what normally comes with Windows (XP mind you) AVG, and Firefox...oh, and Taxcut that I put on there because I do his taxes. He doesn't do anything with it except use the web, and play freecell. Yet somehow, someway, every six months he does SOMETHING that messes his computer up in a major way and at least every 2nd or 3rd time it actually requires Windows to be reloaded. Today, was one of those days and his computer needed resuscitation. Today was more frustrating than usual because for some dang reason, I couldn't get a sound driver to load right. Then after an hour of futsing with it, got it to work. Total time at this point - 2.5 hours. Then my father-in-law tells me "this isn't right" Why? What's wrong? We then have a 15 minute discussion on how he's telling me all he does is turn on his computer and it magically comes up with "Foxfire" [sic] already open. He spends 15 minutes telling me he NEVER had to click on the Firefox icon before. We also have a discussion where communication isn't really happening as he's trying to figure out how "'Foxfire' will still know who [he] is since we just had to put all that back on the computer" He is, of course, referring to his Internet provider, but... *sigh I know he's been failing a bit lately, and since this problem occurred a few weeks ago and he hasn't used it for a while I chalked it up to his memory being poor. But this was both sad and frustrating at the same time. So then I leave him to go visit an elderly friend from church. He's a retired priest in the Episcopal Church and has been a really great guy to know. His health has really tricked him this last year and he's ended up in care facility. Mentally, all there. Physically, the body has had enough. He likes to hear about my travels, and we talk about philosophy and current events and from time to time, he likes to be read to. Today, while reading Cider House Rules, Ed died. I don't know what else to write. . . I need a drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Man, I'm sorry all that happened in one day. It just twists your heart up. I'm sorry. Hey, Ed passed on, a happy man. You were there and he was enjoying the time together. That's a nice thing. You were there for him to the end. Thank you for doing that for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Sounds like you've had a tough go at it today. And please, by all means... Vent away. We all need to do it from time to time. Might as well do it amongst friends. Very sorry to hear of your friend today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HartDoc Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Wow, I deal with death, sometimes multiple times a day. You just made me step back a take re-align my focus, thank you. Sorry for your day but at least you know he is at peace and his passing was painless. Sorry for your lost Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 I will both mourn your friends passing and toast your selflessness. Yes indeed have a couple you have earned that and so much more, I am humbled by your actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjjoyce1 Posted February 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Thanks guys. In re-reading my post, I realized I'm slammed enough to not make the poor assimilation joke I was going to make. I had to resuscitate my father-in-laws computer. Ed had a DNR order. I couldn't do a thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmj Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 My deepest condolences in your loss of a dear friend. As mentioned above, he would have been happy you were with him for his last moments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winno Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 (edited) Man, your mate Ed is a lucky man... I have read to my son since very early on (since he was two..) and now he reads to me (he is nine ... he is only six in my sig picture..). I have just come home from a VERY hard day with lots of heavy thinking (I am a health economist), and there is nothing i like more than hearing his voice and slowly falling asleep with him next to me reading. He is in the bath right now, but I am looking forward to him puttin his Pj's on, getting the pillows set up, tucking him in. Me setting up next to him while he reads "Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets" . Makes me feel at home...and makes the ills of my day totally disapeer... If you mate Ed feels the way I feel, then he was a happy man when he died.... Thank you for doing this for him... Cheerio Winno... Edited February 26, 2013 by Winno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 WoW man that's a heavy day cj, Not sure what to right to make you feel any better but I don't think that's what you need tbh, Ed would have been a very happy man throughout his life and as I believe has gone to his better place, we all play a part in everyone's life that we touch mate, this was yours so cherish it, he will mate I'm sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCM Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Sorry to hear all of this CJ. If I wasn't in Florida I'd say lunch on me at the airfield. Raincheck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjjoyce1 Posted February 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 @ Winno - those are some of the best memories I have of my kids growing up too. We read every night. @Shaun - you're on brother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmpaHimself Posted February 27, 2013 Report Share Posted February 27, 2013 (edited) Hey mate, I don't post here much but i just wanted to say you are not alone in these experiences. Life can really be a cold b1tch sometimes. My father is also aging before my eyes and it's sad and frustrating for both parties. It is all part of our time here, as is death, and it's beyond our control. I am very sorry for your loss. The great thing is that we have hobbies and friends like this to take our mind off things, even just for a minute. All you can do now is be patient with your father and try to enjoy the rest of the time you can share together. -Umpa Edited February 27, 2013 by UmpaHimself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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