Dad's New Home, and the Toasting Of Nuptials

Recently my dad was moved to a smaller care home, a place that he can have more one-to-one care and access by caregivers. It's a house, not an apartment-like building, and immediately he has brightened up. He seems more peaceful and responsive. The last place he was in was unable to provide the kind of care we know he deserves, and it was causing too much worry. He needs a place to Live, not a place to simply Be.

He's about 30minutes closer to me and my fiancée and I, which is great. I'm able to go see him at a moment's notice, and it's not a 2 hour trip on a weekend. It's nice to just spend time with him and talk to him. At this time he is unable to speak, communicating mostly with facial gestures and grabbing our hands. He is still there, though. His spirit pushes him, and each of us, forward.

As I near my wedding day on Feb. 24th I really want a way to honor my dad. My mom made a great point in that my dad would want that day to be about my fiancee and I, not about him or anything external. I realized that's true, and so I will write a short piece into my toast and welcoming of guests that will reflect upon him as much as it reflects on everyone who comes.

And at this time I am really missing him more than ever, wishing he would be there to celebrate and share that day with me. We're planning a small re-wedding ceremony at his new place also, to have him be part of us getting married. That was entirely my fiancee's idea. That's a big reason why I am very happy, excited, and lucky to be marrying her.

More to come! Thanks for your prayers and well-wishes.