Over the next few years, we moved many times and lived in several states. My dad had been sick for quite some time. He had developed emphysema and lung cancer from all his years of smoking. Dad lived in Michigan, so making the trip home to visit him was quite a long haul.
Dad was in and out of the hospital. When Dad was released from the hospital, I would drive 9 hours to check on him. I'd try to make sure he had what he needed. Dad wanted to stay in his own home; he was adamant about not going to a nursing home.
My mom had died many years before, and I'm an only child. Neil, who was a great friend to my dad, came to my rescue. Neil would call and stop in every day to make sure Dad was okay. Neil and I stayed in touch by phone, so I knew what was going on. I was now pregnant with Brandon. Driving the 9 hours to Michigan made the trip interesting. I knew every rest area along the way. My dad lived to see Brandon. Dad died on February 6, 1986.
The first year on the anniversary of my dad's death, I was down. No one called to share my grief, and I said to myself, "Well, who would call? You're an orphan!" This day did not go well, as you can tell.
After the first anniversary of dad's death, my search to fill this void inside me intensified. For some strange reason, I thought I was going to die. I began watching the TV program, The Hour Of Power.
I knew I was on to something with these Dr. Peale books.
I wanted Todd to get an understanding of what these books were about. I'd read the books, then I'd type the tips I thought would help Todd. As odd as it was for me to do, I started to type, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength." Philippians 4:13 at the bottom of the typed pages.
I thought if I died, Todd would share these ideas from Dr. Peale's books with Shannon and Brandon.
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