Home > Blogs > Joe Kenny > Better Than Your Average Joe

Fall Season of Miracles for Dad and Family

By Joe Kenny

Real Estate Sales Representative with Realty Executive Midwest

October 26, 2011 05:42 PM

ThePOSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul group gives you the opportunity to share the miracles in your life during this fall season with a creative writing challenge . Join in on the challenge with the FALL SEASON OF MIRACLES CONTEST | Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul Group.

What is a miracle? According to Wikipedia, a miracle often denotes an event attributed todivine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to amiracle worker,saint, or religious leader.

As the fall season reminds Sally Cheeseman that she has a few months left of this year to gear up for the coming year and plan for the miracles in her life, my family and I have a few months to gear up for the remainder of my fathers life. A little over a month ago he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis and has been given about six months to live.

Today we met with a nurse from Season’s Hospice and Palliative Care Facility and made arrangements for medical care to be administered at my parents home. Season’s takes care of things like pain control, medication refill, personal hygiene and an overall care with dignity. These health care providers are truly miracle workers and or saints.

Though I have already had my share of sleepless nights there has been a good deal of things to be grateful for, the first being that my family and I are being given a chance to spend some quality time with my dad before he passes. How many times have you heard of someone dying suddenly and never having the opportunity to say good bye to their loved ones?

We will never have the guilt of thinking “if I had only said this or did that.” “I would have taken more time away from work if I had only known”. These can really weigh on someones emotions and spirit.

Another thing I have to be grateful for during this trying time is my ActiveRain membership. I have met some warm compassionate people since I joined like Dagny Eason who gave me some recommendations for specialists and Sue Emo who two hours after we met with the hospice nurse sent me an email titled, Thinking of You Today with a prayer attached.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share what’s going on in my life and to be able to lean on my ActiveRain friends in a time of need. Melissa McKinney was correct when she said, “Who says your social media friends are not real

friends?!”

I’m asking everybody in the Rain to please keep my dad and my family in your thoughts and prayers. Sometimes all we have to do is pray real hard to create another miracle. It’s a good life.

Re-Blog

Comments(16)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900

Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA

Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Lord, please bless this family and let your miracle be present and revealed. You are right to be thankful to know in advance, a family member recently died in his sleep, hadn't been in poor health, but it happens. God bless.

Oct 26, 2011 06:56 PM

Charles Stallions

Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL

850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

I spent a year after we were told that Mom was going to die, just being there I am lucky in the fact that I spent a lot of time with her through the years. I feel I was always there and I'm at peace knowing that I was. But boy do I miss her it has been 5 years and I can remember that week as if it just continues. I never believed she would die and didn't believe Hospice or my family. I guess the worst part is the denial. I wish I would have accepted it then maybe I would have been better prepared.

I will pray for you and your family and hope that your Dad knows the Lord is always with us and the ones left behind. I enjoy thinking of Mom dancing with the Angels.

Oct 26, 2011 10:47 PM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Joe,

Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are right sometimes those miracles do reveal themselves :). P.S. I love the card you sent to Melissa

Oct 27, 2011 12:29 AM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Joe, prayers are there, indeed. And we do find the most amazing people here, blogging angels! I know you won't have an easy time ahead of you, but you will have some good memories.

Oct 27, 2011 12:31 AM

Joe Kenny

Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL

Better Than Your Average Joe

Michelle- Thank you for the kind thoughts and prayers.

Charles- Thank you, I hope so too, my dad is starting to mail it in :(

Dorie- Thank you and thank you again.

Andrea- Memories are all we have at times.

Oct 27, 2011 02:04 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Joe

My thoughts and prayers are with you. We went through a similar situation with my wife's Mom, although she was only give a couple of weeks. BUt there was the time she wanted and needed to get things in order, see friends and family including those of us living far away, and give away things that were special to her. It was truly a special time.

Oct 27, 2011 02:36 AM

Joe Kenny

Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL

Better Than Your Average Joe

Jeff- Thank you for the kind words. People see death as dismal but there is a definitely something special about it especially when the family has time to be with their loved ones. It's a good life.

Oct 27, 2011 02:44 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Joe....my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....I'm so sorry to hear about your father's illness....cherish every moment that you can....

Oct 27, 2011 02:47 AM

Joe Kenny

Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL

Better Than Your Average Joe

Barbara- Thank you, you know I will. It's a good life.

Oct 27, 2011 02:49 AM

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi

NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL

708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Joe: So very sorry to hear of your father's illness. I've been down that road already with the passing of my father years back. I can tell you to enjoy every second you can with him while you have him. You never get over missing them. To this day, I stop and think ... Dad would have loved this. I wish Dad was here with me to share this. Although it's hard in many ways to know that you are going to lose them, it's a blessing as well. You have 6 months that can be memory-builders ... and memory-sharing times. That's a gift. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time ... and in the future. You know where I am if you need to have a shoulder and a friend ...

Gene

Oct 27, 2011 04:35 AM

Don MacLean

New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA

Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

Joe, You are right . Your Social Media friends are more than just a click or quick read. They are you friends who reach out and feel your pain.

As always our thiughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Keep smiling

Oct 27, 2011 05:30 AM

Joe Kenny

Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL

Better Than Your Average Joe

Gene- Thanks as always for the kind words, I have your sholder on speed dial. It's a good life

Don- Thank for the kind words and being a good friend, it'a good life.

Oct 27, 2011 05:36 AM

Amy Hahn

Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Morehead City, NC

Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC

Joe - Thinking of you during this tough time. Miracles are all around us, and fortunately, angels too! You are an angel to me, and often make my day with your cards or messages.

I will be praying for you and your family and sending good vibes from NC.

Oct 28, 2011 04:39 AM

Joe Kenny

Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL

Better Than Your Average Joe

Amy- You are allso one of my guardian angels. Thanks for the kind word, it's a good life.

Oct 28, 2011 07:34 AM

Gail Robinson

William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT

CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Joe - My mom (98 y.o.) and dad (92 y.o.) were both in hospice and passed away earlier this year. I had a chance to say good bye to them. I will certainly keep you, your dad, and your family in my prayers.

Oct 30, 2011 11:00 AM

Joe Kenny

Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL

Better Than Your Average Joe

Gail- I'm sorry you lost both of your parents in the same year, I guess I'm blessed as far as that is concerned. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It's a good life.

Oct 30, 2011 02:18 PM