My father had open heart surgery yesterday. He came through it like a champion. It was a single bypass, and with much thanks to God, and the incredible doctors and nurses on call, he will be fine.
My intention was to stay in Los Angeles and not fly to Florida, where my parents live. My father has always believed in honoring one’s responsibilities. I have a job in Los Angeles, and he gave orders not to fly out. Some parents nag their children and make them feel guilty for living their own lives. My parents do just the opposite. They expect me to honor my commitments, wherever they may be. I am not a doctor, so dropping everything to fly 3000 miles for one day was not to be done.
When my boss asked me why I was not going, he let me know that I was making the wrong decision. He said that if I took a Friday night redeye flight to Florida, I could come back Sunday morning, and still be at work on Monday. I told him that my parents did not want that, and he then said something I never expected any person, much less an employer to say. “I am ordering you to go, and I am paying for the ticket.”
Bosses don’t do this. They are supposed to be cold heartless individuals who use employees up and spit them out. Or maybe, like you and me, bosses come in all shapes and sizes. Some are good, others less so. I am still stunned by this act of generosity.
I arrived in South Florida this morning, and got to spend several hours with my father, and more time with my mother. My father was shocked to see me, and while he expressed that he told me not to come, he spent most of the day saying he was glad to see me (which my boss predicted). As for my mother, I scared her half to death by calling at 7am. She thought it was the hospital. It was me explaining that I was in South Florida, not LA, and that I would be arriving in minutes. I am not one to make a habit of just dropping by, especially not from 3000 miles away.
My father watched the news today, like he normally does. He is concerned that liberals will try to use the Virginia Tech tragedy to institute more gun control laws. He thinks illegal immigration is out of control. He worries about the future of America. I told him that I could turn off the news if it would stress him out. He said that was not necessary. When my dad is at home, this is what he is concerned with. While he is not “fine,” in the sense that he just had open heart surgery, he is well enough to go back to having smaller worries.
I have to fly back to LA in several hours, and then get enough sleep to make it to the Hollywood Bowl to attend the “Apprentice” Finale. I hope Mr. Donald Trump likes my necktie. It will be one from his collection. On Monday, I have alot of work to do at the office. I worry that traffic might be a problem, because there is no way I am going to be a minute late after the way my boss helped me see my family this weekend. Then on Thursday I head to New York, where I worry that the Oakland Raiders might totally mess up their draft choice at the NFL draft.
I have never been happier to have these worries. My father is resting comfortably. While I knew this a day ago, I got to see it for myself.
There are many inconsequential things I have wanted to write about, but between my father’s condition and the Virginia Tech massacre, I was unable to do so. It is ok to put life on hold temporarily, but normalcy must return. For me, that time is now.
The Tygrrrr Express has many things to blog about, and I worry that the quality might not be there. I am thrilled that this is my biggest worry, and with my father being healthy and my focus returning, I am up to the challenge.
I love you mom and dad, and I am glad I came, even for such a short time. Now I need to get back to LA. Mr. Trump, I am ready for my close-up…assuming I get some sleep on the plane.
eric