Yesterday was the 4 months to the day that my dad had his stroke. In the beginning none of us knew how long they would be in Florida. I certainly didn't think it would be 4 months and yet they are still there and will be for months to come unless we raise money to bring them home. I've gone months without seeing my parents (probably not 4 but months nonetheless). It never occurred to me that 4 months was a long time without seeing ones parents. I talked to them on the phone, especially my dad. Maybe that is why it seems so weird. Yesterday was the first time I had a conversation with my dad where he could contribute back to the conversation. It was amazing. So many times in the past I just rolled my eyes when he talked because that is all he did, gab gab gab. "They" say you don't know what you had until it's gone. Hearing my dad say the words "I love you too" was the most amazing sounds I've ever heard. He had a hard time saying it when he was healthy, let alone after a major trauma to his brain.
All this being said, we as a family are trying to get him back to the Northwest so he can be with his family and friends. So far insurance won't pay to transfer him because he is in a perfectly good facility. I understand that from a business perspective. However he needs his family, his children, his grandchildren. If you would like to contribute to our fund to bring my parents back from Florida where they have been for 4 months. Please click on the paypal button to the left. With all my heart, thank you! Thank you for prayers, thank you for your time in reading this blog and thank you for your donation. You can also visit www.rickgehring.com to read the story of what happened.
