Raising Daddy

<p>Three months after his stroke and heart attack Daddy was discharged from the hospital to come home with me. My house became a revolving door for nurses occupational therapists physical therapists and caregiver candidates. I took a vacation from work to transition Daddy into his new home. And this was now his home. His standard week-long visit had already been extended and he was in no condition to live autonomously.</p><p>Days before my vacation ended the big picture became crystal clear! Daddy really didn't want a caregiver at all he wanted me! Every time I mentioned going back to work he would ask Do you have to go back? While I was the youngest in his opinion I was also the bossiest! I was also the only one who was a parent. </p><p>Daddy was acutely aware of parenting tasks such as planning making tough decisions sacrificing and balancing work with home life. Perhaps he was confident that because I had raised two children which became more difficult after my divorce certainly I had the skills to help him through this phase of life. Who knows what was going through that gray-haired head of his! I didn't have a clue what was to come but after he had been with me for six months I recognized that raising kids was merely a precursor to raising Daddy!</p>