Dad looking spiffy!This week Dad was invited to attend an annual meeting that he used to be part of regarding the consulting work he did prior to his accident. We spent a day and a half up "on the hill" at the State Office Building with a gracious and welcoming group of colleagues. And because Dad had worked up there so long before retiring, word got around he was there and several former coworkers were able to stop by and say hi. Everyone seemed pleased to have him back in their midst and I think Dad appreciated being in an environment as natural and easy as falling off a log.
I know it was challenging for him -- on a physical level, just trying to get around up there was tough! But you can imagine the mixed emotions of having things to say but not being able to quickly articulate them, and of sitting on the sidelines instead of leading the show. I was so proud of him for being brave enough to be part of it, even though it would bring up memories of how things were just a year ago. He is my hero because even though he is constantly aware of how different he is and how people must perceive him, he is willing to put himself out there and live his life. He is just so darned wonderful.
Dad doing a little schmoozing.
Dad and his colleagues taking a break from all their hard work.
