Quiet, kind of un-eventful kind of day...

Well today was kind of quiet for once. I was up a bit late last night helping Sherry with some laundry because her washer and dryer took a dip in the river that was her basement. After intently watching the clothes mingle and spin for a few hours, we called it a night. I got to bed at around 3:30 AM and got up again at 9:00. Dad was up already watching the news and I ran out to bring Sherry her cell phone. She forgot it here last night... most likely because our minds were melted from staring at clothes spinning at high velocity for too long.
Dad's day was not bad. Not as good as he has been, but all in all not bad. I got him out of bed again today and rolled him into the living room so he could look out the window for a while. I opened it up so he could breath some fresh air for a while but he could not stay in the chair for too long today. His back started to hurt after 5 minutes in the wheelchair. He has been pain free but he has also been in bed with no pressure on his spine. It got bad enough to make him start to moan a bit and so back into the room I took him. Its OK though... 5 minutes may not be long, but its 5 minutes away from his room. Baby steps.
I had dinner with Sherry's family tonight. Cindy looks good! I'm glad I was able to make her laugh a bit. I think she could use all the smiles she can get her hands on. We had Chinese, made a few jokes, and she got a kick out of the banter that Sherry and I often share. It was a nice time and I'm glad I was there. I am, however, disappointed that there was no cake batter ice cream! Next time maybe.
All in all, we are doing OK right now... or as OK as our situation will permit anyway. Dad seems to be stable and mom is holding up OK. I am doing my best for everyone and trying to keep sane at the same time. I think I'm doing a good job. I will just remember that if I feel the reality of my situation starting to hit too hard, all I need to do is go and watch the clothes spin again and all will be right with the world.
God I love washing clothes!

My first entry... (or: How I spent my time yesterday)

Well here it is. Sherry gave me a small corner of "the Cindy journals" so that I can add some of my thoughts in as well as keep a little journal of my own thoughts and feelings concerning my dad, Cindy, and i guess any other random thoughts and feelings that I feel like rambling about.
When the phone rang yesterday, I had just gotten my dad into the kitchen to have a bite to eat. He is unable to walk at this point and had been bedridden for going on a month and a half. I got him into the wheelchair and rolled him up to the kitchen table. It was real nice seeing him out of that hospital bed and I know he was happy to be there even if its only for about 20 minutes at a time. I picked up the phone to hear Sherry in a complete state of panic. "You have to come here! There's 3 feet of water in the basement!", she said with a feeling of terror in her voice. I told her I was on my way. I had to leave my dad in the kitchen with my mom. Mom assured me it was OK and that she could take care of my dad on her own and get him back into bed when he was ready. I got into the car and flew over there. Thank God she is less than a mile away from me. I got to her and she was indeed a wreck. I helped calm her down and then we got to work. The water was up to about 3 inches below my knee! I have never seen anything like that before. The plan for yesterday was for Sherry to go to school while I went to JFK to pick up her mom, dad and Cindy but obviously plans changed quickly. We figured it was best that Sherry skip school and go to the airport and I stay at the house to handle things. We both agreed it was better that I be there rather than her in a house full of strangers all alone. Aside from that, I figured she needed to just get away from the house for a while because the mess was overwhelming and she seemed to be bordering on a panic attack. Best for her to go and forget about it for a while. Besides, this way she could see her mom and dad and Cindy sooner and I know she missed them.
To make this long story a bit shorter, I was basically at the house from around 1:00P.M until just after 11:00P.M. I did everything I could to help out and make things easier on them. This is a rough time and the last thing they needed was that mess. Sherry broke her back getting that house ready for Cindy. We were up late the night before cleaning the dog and cat and put the finishing touches in place. I hooked up a DVD player in the living room for Cindy and when all was done, there was a spotless house and an exhausted Sherry. My heart broke for her when I got there. All that work down the drain. In any case, there I was, and here I am. Thanks for the little spot, Sherry... I like it in here. I think I'm going to stick around a while.