Seeing my dad
Thank you all for your support, prayers and encouragement concerning my anticipated visit with my estranged father. It went well.
He is currently in an assisted living facility, with some physical issues but mainly dementia. He spent most of the visit explaining his efforts to arrange a taxi ride home.
He was so different, yet so familiar. He’s always been situated at the edges of things, throwing out observations and claiming an inside track. The content is delusional, but the logical structure of his thoughts is still there.
The only thing he said directly to me was “You’ve put on weight.” He’s said that to me all my life, including times when I needed to put on weight. He enjoyed my niece and her two tiny, adorable children.
My fear was that he would react angrily to my presence and order me to leave. This week has been so hard and full of dread. My appetite, sleep and immune system have all taken a hit.
I hope that I’m not over sharing or making anyone uncomfortable with my family drama. I sense that others here can relate, and I would love it if someone felt less alone because I’ve been there, too.
One last thing. Today was not traumatic like I’d feared. But I did feel invisible, and that’s less than ideal. Then I had an epiphany: I’ve always been basically invisible to him. I’m at peace with that now.
Everyone wants to be seen. My dad may never see me. But I can make that lack a catalyst for recognizing the gold in others. I can dissolve that ache through a deliberate, intentional stance of love.
When I left, I said “It was nice to see you, Dad.” He responded with “Yeah? That’s what a lot of women say to me.” He’s kept his droll wit, and I’m happy that I got to see him.


