Got back yesterday evening from Texas. It is a long drive from Charleston, SC, to Houston, Tx, about 15 hours. If you knew me, though, you’d know that I would choose driving over an airplane 9 times out of 10.
I mainly went to see my Dad. He is getting older and moving slower. However, his overall health seems to be good. I went with him and my sister to his doctor’s appointment on my last day there. They had some tests to run, so they took blood. He says he feels okay. I think he could be better. I don’t want him to give up.
He spends most of his time in his room with the curtains and blinds open, watching CNN. The reason the curtains and blinds are open? Light! He has glaucoma and is legally blind. So he likes to have as much light as possible. I understand the need for light. Usually when I have trouble seeing while reading, the issue is light. It gets worse as I get older. I can only imagine what it is like for my dad. I pray to God I don’t have glaucoma. I thinks that’s why I prefer reading books on kindle.
Catching up
I spent two weeks reconnecting with friends and family. I missed a lot of people, though. Some were in the hospital (which I did see), and some were unavailable for whatever reason. I was able to connect with 5 friends from high school. We spent time eating, drinking, playing pool, and listening to music. A few are missing from the photo. We were a close knit group in high school. All of us were in the band. Sometimes we got into trouble. Thinking back it is a wonder that we didn’t end up in jail.
As older men, we spent time talking about what ails us. One friend had COVID, which progressed to pneumonia. He still has some issues that persist. I have arthritis in my back, hips, and neck. All of us are dealing with type 2 diabetes. One of us will need knee surgery soon (not it!).
Great-nieces & nephews
I spent time meeting new great-nieces and nephews and reconnecting with others. They are all cute, intelligent, loud, the products of great parenting, and growing up quickly. My oldest sister and brother have been incredibly blessed with grandchildren.
My brother and his youngest granddaughter.
Some of my sister’s grandchildren.
My brother’s youngest daughter, my niece.
I didn’t know I needed a vacation, but it felt good to get away. Perhaps I needed to see the friends and family I grew up with. I need to make an effort to go home more frequently. There is no reason I can’t visit more, and I want to.
Not moving
The suggestion to move back was brought up by a few people. I hate moving. And though I love Texas, I no longer feel attached to the place. I had some allergy issues being there. I always joke that you can see the air you breathe in Texas. I don’t know that the air has anything to do with it, but many people in Texas (Houston, Pasadena) get diagnosed with cancer.
I’m not afraid of getting cancer at this point in my life. When I lived in Texas, however, I always had headaches. Since leaving, I rarely get headaches. I believe there was a correlation to the air quality.
Having said that, I’m satisfied to continue living here in South Carolina. I may move at some point. However, there is no guarantee that I will move to Texas. I also loved living in Florida.
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