Jigflipper
New member
Circumstances this years won't let me be at DIV this year, and I don't begrudge those circumstances a bit. I don't know if any of y'all know this or not but Becky's dad has Alzheimer's. It's been a struggle for the last 6 or 7 years to say the least. About 2 years and 8 months ago Charles was bedridden. We discussed this at great lengths and decided to care for him ourselves instead of sticking him in a nursing home to let strangers take care of him in his final days. Becky quit her job and she and her mother has taken care of him pretty much 24/7/365 for the last 32 months, we've got to sneak away for a couple of days here and there but it's always on our minds. He was put on hospice and taken off 4 times during this period because they expected him to pass at these times. 4 weeks ago They came in and took him to the hospice house expecting him not to last through the night. It still wasn't his time. Alzheimer's is a terrible disease, It takes everything that you have in life that matters, your memories and abilities. The time is real close now, It could be any minute or day but they say it won't be more than 2 weeks. We have mixed feelings about this, Charles has not had any quality of life since being bedridden and hasn't known anyone for the last year. We know that he'll be in a better place when he passes but it's hard for her to let go. We're both believers as was he and know that things will be better for him soon. Emotionally and physically she is drained. I don't like to ask much of anyone but your prayers for Becky, her mom and dad would be appreciated. Charles is a good man, His father died when he was 4 and he worked from the time he was 6 to help with the family while going to school. He had to quit school to do this in the 5Th grade. He was drafted and served in Korea where he was in supplies. While serving there, the army used to put a Korean soldier with the American soldiers to work together. A Korean that was with Charles accidentally drove their supply truck off a mountain road and crashed the truck. He ran off and left Charles there pinned in the truck. 2 days later they found Charles and took him to the field hospital. His back was wrecked and part of his stomach had to be removed. He healed up and served the remainder of this time there. After the war he worked in a factory until the age of 39, when all the injuries had finally caught up to him. He raised 3 daughters and a son as a stay at home dad. He always put his family first, doing what he could to make ends meet and going without to make sure the family had what they needed. He was always good to everyone and treated everyone fair and all the years that I've known him he has never said a bad thing about anyone. He never ask for charity and did the best that he could. He was never worried about keeping up with the Joneses or a showing out type person. Charles never had a lot of money but he was rich in what matters in life, Compassion, Duty, Family Obligations, Friendship, Beliefs,Family and Pride. I have very much respect for him and my life's better for having the pleasure of knowing him. You read stories about great Americans and how they have changed the world and I don't have a problem with that, but there is also people like Charles who did the right thing, the right way, the best that he could and never got credit for it because they're not famous. He wouldn't have wanted it. To me he is a true American Hero.
Jim
Jim