For those of you who read my blog before these last few days, you probably witnessed a person with many varied interests. I spoke about music, sports, politics and women. Ok, so maybe not many varied interests, but at least 4. Over the last few days, I have only spoken about Virginia Tech, and my father’s angiogram. He had the angiogram today, they found a 70% blockage, and 5 hours from this writing, he will be having open heart surgery. It is a single bypass, which is better than double, triple or quadruple, but nevertheless still open heart surgery. He has a 95% chance of being fine, which is much less than 100% when talking about my dad.
I want to thank all the people who have offered me well wishes by mail, email and telephone. People I have never met have offered support. This brings me to one area where my dad and I have disagreed.
He sees the world, and thinks it is a terrible time for a young person to be alive. The War on Terror has left no area of the world safe. People in Madrid and Bali, who have never bothered anyone, have been senselessly killed. Companies are outsourcing jobs. Most people get laid off from their jobs, and there is no company loyalty. Gangs, drugs, and diseases such as Aids are getting worse and worse. Virginia Tech…it just does not stop. He is truly glad that he does not have to grow up as a youth in these turbulent times.
I agree with every concern he has, but could not disagree more with his conclusion. The internet has allowed me to make friends all over the world. As shopping malls become “upscale,” which is a fancy word for overpriced and overrated, I can buy what I need on Ebay, and in some cases, Craigslist. From clothing to football tickets to plane tickets, the internet has been helpful. The internet has also allowed me to find people with similar interests. I am Jewish, and politically I am a republican. Most Jews are democrats. An email I received told me about the Republican Jewish Coalition. I made new friends.
My cousin bought a webcam awhile back. While separated from his family due to being stationed in Cuba near Gitmo, he was able to “see us” and vice versa. Instant messenger has allowed people to have realtime communication. People can buy stocks online, at much cheaper prices than 20 years ago. Thousands of individuals worldwide have created businesses online, out of their own homes. With zero start up costs, no commute, and the ability to wear pajamas to work (unless there is videoconference meetings I would hope), convenience is becoming the norm.
I can go on Jdate, read profiles of Jewish women, and find out what we have in common and what we do not have in common. This does not guarantee that meeting in person will be successful, but it beats going on a date and being uncomfortable because you have zero information going in. This is not just about romance. Websites such as “Friendster” allow people to network with others.
As for my love of sports, the ability to watch a game on a high definition big screen television with a flat surface…technology is growing by leaps and bounds.
Yet for all these wonderful things, there is one thing right now that stands out above everything else. Our advances in medicine are growing by leaps and bounds. From new drugs that can cure (or at least treat) everything from baldness to cancer to high blood pressure and beyond, and pills that can make 75 year old men sexually as potent as 25 year olds, we are doing well as a people. Adult stem cell research is finding cures for many ailments, and the list is growing.
50 years ago there were no human heart transplants. Now, survival is a normal occurrence. My dad worries that the aging boomer population will be a financial drain on society. I am thrilled that people are alive and have that opportunity.
I am worried about my dad’s open heart surgery, as any son who loves his parents would worry. Of course my optimistic outlook on life will take a severe beating if the worst case scenario, which I will not even type, should occur. All I can say is that I look forward to getting back to my carefree world of girls, sports, video games, unhealthy foods, and gallivanting around the country enjoying life.
That is the future. Right now, my focus is on my dad. The world is a wonderful place to be, and he might see it my way if he sticks around another 20 years to see it get better and better. I love you dad, and if the doctors, mom, and me have any say in the matter…you will not have a choice in the matter. You will be around to see all of these wonderful things.
5 hours to go…may the doctors be successful, and my mom and dad rejoicing a few hours after that. Ok, off to toss and turn, and play “Let’s Make a Deal” with God. I will sing him the song “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good…oh lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.” It sounds better than “Yeah God, I am a screwup at times, but help me anyway.”
Ok God…I don’t ask for much (glad I cannot see if God has eyeballs, or if he rolls them at me or anyone else who claims not to ask for much)….but this one is a big one. See what you can do.
I look upwards, and realize how we must make the most of every minute because as Journey sings “The wheel in the sky keeps on turning. I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow.”
5 hours to go.
eric