A Brief Pause...Thoughts About My Dad

Dad and me, Father's Day, June 15, 2014

I don't exactly know how to begin this. But my father, Don Greathouse, isn't doing well. For those of you who don't know, he had major heart surgery in the summer of 2013: arterial valve replacement. It was the year he turned 79. I have to say I was concerned about such invasive surgery at his age - but it was his desire, and seemed to be the best solution. Dad has always had a crack team of doctors and specialists - (including the ones in our family!). So we prayed, and true to form - he thrived; his healing process was impressive (as was his hip replacement recovery years earlier). The man was up and about, driving, in the kitchen cooking (and he is an excellent chef, ya'll!). However, he had bouts of loss of appetite and energy. Lately, it has been up and down.

Dad's physical fitness and resilience have been due to his early years as an athlete, and the lifestyle changes he made in his forties. He's been my big, strong man all of my life, and I told God a couple of weeks ago that I'm not ready to be without him.  I demanded a miracle that would glorify His name and give my Dad a good quality of life for the remainder of his days. But of course, His will be done (amen).

Rewind:

Dad fell at home and couldn't get up a little over two weeks ago and had to be rushed to a local hospital. They said he had pneumonia, stabilized him, and transferred him to his hospital where he is a cardiac patient. All seemed to be going well. When I spoke with him on the phone, he sounded amazingly robust - like my father of 20 years ago! It was wonderful. It was a miracle. And it was eerie.

Fast forward:

Prayers of friends and loved ones have been going up continually since he's been in the hospital. However, the doctors are stumped. His heart is doing well, but his diminishing mental capacity and inability to speak (he is mumbling as if he is speaking), are puzzling. All types of tests are being done... including the lumbar puncture and CT (he can't have an MRI due to his pacemaker).

My mother has been handling this turn of events well, praise God! And I can't say enough how grateful I am that my sister and her hubby are there - actively involved as advocates for Dad, and a comfort to Mom. I'm thankful to all my family who are in California - supporting, praying, loving. How blessed we are!

As I've said to friends and family - Dad is a soldier in the Army of the Lord. He's ministered through music all of his life, and his very own card and letter-writing ministry for the sick and shut-in.  He ministered to me, above and beyond the role of a loving father, during and after the loss of my first husband, his son-in-love of 31 years. He still provides me with so much wisdom and I love our chats every Sunday. He's my biggest cheerleader and encourager - and embraced my husband, Bruce, with open arms. His 80 years on earth have been eventful, and so rich!

I don't know how to end this post, except to thank everyone for their prayers, and solicit the continued prayers of all praying folks out there - for God's will, for our strength and comfort as we endure this season.

So I told God last night that I'm sooo thankful He chose Don Winston Greathouse to be my earthly father - and even though I have my druthers, I'll just stay out of His business with my Dad. He does ALL things well, and it is well with my soul!

Thanks for reading.

Blessings