The Last Time

They say that when someone is dying they have a "last good day". The thing about the "last good day" is that you don't know it's the "last good day" until long after said 'someone' has had a series of terrible days and died. 

The phenomenon of the last good day! 

It is known among palliative carers, nurses, doctors and families of those who have finally succumbed to a long and difficult illness.  It is the reason that you have to appreciate every good moment, every good hour, and every good day because you don't know if it is the last. Don't let the good moments slip by.  Don't let the laughter be forgotten.  Appreciate the simplicity of sitting in silence.  Take photos.  Smile together.  Remember together.  Be together as often as you can.  Give to each other now, because there is no point waiting.  Today could be the last good day. 

When today is not so good.  Try to think of the days that were good and remember that tomorrow might be better.  Don't think that the last good day is behind you.  The last good day could be today.  The last good day could be tomorrow.  Don't wait for the last good day.  Remember, you don't know when it will be and you won't know it until long after it is gone. Try to make everyday the best it can be. Today will be okay. 

Enjoy what you have, when you have it. 

Don't let the last good day be dwindled away.

Don't let the last good day be forgotten. 

Remember it with fondness.  Hold each other in it.  Smile when you think of it.  Don't cry.  It was the last good day and it was wonderful.

Don't think that today could be it, or tomorrow... just be.  Enjoy it and enjoy each other, while you can. 

I'm rambling.  I have been thinking about the last good day.  I don't know if we have already seen it. I don't know if it is yet to come.  I hope the end is near, so the suffering will end.  But then, I want to have another good day.  I want the last good day to be ahead of us.  I hope I didn't miss it. 

Stuff My Dad Said...

Tonight...

Me: Okay, do you want the light off and the lamp on?
Dad: No, I want the light off and the lamp on!

Seriously, you can't make this stuff up!

**********

10 Years Ago..

Random Guy: Aunty Flo isn't invited to the wedding because, "we don't like them".
Dad: You don't have to like your family, you just have to love them.

Dad's very wise.  He really is. 

##########

When we were young and my sister or I did something mischievous...

Mum: Talk to your daughter...
Dad: Hello (insert name of daughter here), how are you?

LOL

^^^^^^^^^^

When I was about 9 years old and our family was reading The Bible after dinner.  The story was about Jesus walking on the water.

Dad: "... Peter was awe-struck."

Me: Daddy, what does awe-struck mean?

Dad: Well, they were on a boat, so I suppose it means he was hit over the head with an oar!

I might add, that while my mother found this hilarious at the time, it was several years before I really learned what it meant to be awe-struck.  Thanks for helping me expand my vocabulary, Dad, that was great. 

!!!!!!!!!!

When I was learning how to become a teacher Dad told me... 

Start with one thing they need to know. Then, tell them the second thing. Then, go back to the first thing. 

Dad knew what he was talking about!

&&&&&&&&&&

When I did well at school!

Me: Hey Dad, I got 20 out of 20 on my spelling test! :D

Dad: Why didn't you get 21?

The best thing that ever happened was when I was in year 8 and I actually managed to get 21 out of 20 on a test.  There was an error on the marking scheme and one of the questions was worth 2 marks, but had only been counted as one, so the total marks added to 21 instead of 20.  :D I was also the only student in my year level to answer all the questions correctly which was the only reason the error on the marking scheme was noticed by the teacher. 

%%%%%%%%%%

When I was about 8 and saving all my pocket money in an ice cream container. 

"It's time you learned about a place called the bank."

I say it again, he was wise.

*********

When I was 20 and being a brat...

"Wake up to yourself!"

He knew what to say.

++++++++++

Speaking of his daughters...

I love my girls and I'm proud of them, because while they are not always quiet, they are achievers. 

He loves me and that's all that matters. 

==========

When one of us was worried and carrying on like it was the end of the world. 

"Go to sleep, everything will be okay."

He was right!

>>>>>>>>>>

Writng Prompt: In Ten Years I Will Be...

In ten years I will be 42 years old!
In ten years I hope I will be living somewhere else.
In ten years I will be surprised that my youngest niece is starting Junior High School. 
In ten years I will be just as loud and just as quiet as I am now. 
In ten years I will be cuddling my kitty, Shelly.  She will still be here. 
In ten years I will be a different kind of teacher!  A better kind of teacher.

Ten years is a long time!

This writing prompt came from Or So She Said.  Click here to see the original post.

Today I'm Trying a 6 Word Writing Prompt.

The Prompt:

The Response:
Neither apologised. Neither won. 

My Dad... a file of fact

I have been thinking a lot about my dad lately.  I enjoy reading  blog posts that I have written in the past.. both distant and recent.  When searching my blog posts, it occurred to me that there are very few posts about Dad.  When Dad is mentioned, he is a peripheral character to a story (usually about Mum or another member of the family).  Considering what a huge part Dad has played in my life, the small role he has played here at AGT seems incongruace (it's a real word) and, frankly, wrong.  Therefore, here are a few things I think you should know about my Dad.  If you read AGT often, you probably know at least a few of these things, but I can guarantee that you don't know all of these. 

My Dad was born in 1953.  I was born 2 days after his 30th birthday... talk about an awesome birthday present!

Not actually a picture of my Dad!

Dad loves God. 

He was the eldest son of Salvation Army officers (these are ministers or pastors in the Salvation Army). He has three brothers and two sisters. All of his immediate family is still alive and living in Australia. 

Dad loves music.  He learned to play brass instruments at an early age.  He taught lots of people how to play too. Dad composed, transcribed and arranged music for many instruments. 


Dad could sell ice to Eskimos, sand to desert tribes and a pearl to an oyster.  He can sell anything.  My Dad is an honest man.  He never shook hands on a shady deal.  He never sold something by deceit.  He always told me the truth, even when I didn't want to hear it. 

My Dad has diabetes.  He has liver/kidney disease and cancer that has spread.  He is very unwell.  I don't remember a time when Dad was healthy.  Not completely healthy. 

Dad has been married to Mum for more than 35 years.  He loves her.  He loves everything about her and he loves his daughters.  My sister and I are the apples of his eye and the grandchildren (my sister's children) are the grapes.  Dad loves his family. 

Dad is determined (or perhaps he's stubborn). Dad is a big ol' softy... no matter what anyone may think of him. 

This isn't an actual picture of my Dad, but I think he's

just a big teddy bear!

I love my Dad. 

It's Fathers' Day here in Australia! 
Happy Fathers' Day, Dad!
Good Job! 

Love