This week I had the most moving opportunity to participate in an intentional act of kindness my friend Michele did for her 91-year old dad, John.
John lives about an hour inland from here in an 60s era golf course villa. Because he has the beginnings of dementia he should no longer drive. He mentioned to Michele recently that his TV has been struck by lightning. Besides reading, there’s not much for him to do most of the day without the TV. Michele decided to buy, deliver, and install a new TV for him. I asked if she wanted help and she readily accepted.
We stopped and picked up a 55′ TV, put it in the back of her Honda FIT, aptly named as it FIT perfectly in the back with the seats laid down.
John didn’t know we were coming or that he would get a new TV that morning. Michele surprised him, and yes, he was surprised. I was also surprised. He was much more lucid than I expected after some of the things Michele had told me about his health. He was a handsome, energetic, and thoroughly delightful man who repeated some things more than a few times. And boy, was he grateful for Michele and the gift of the VERY LARGE new TV. It seemed about twice as big as the one it replaced. He couldn’t get over how well he could see it and commented over and over about how nice it was. As I hooked it up (my technical skills were the best in the room) and went through the set up process, John oohed and aahed over the gift. The love in that room between father and daughter was palpable. I smiled the whole time, happy and blessed to be there.
This experience was even more special because Michele had been adopted and didn’t meet her birth father until she was 37 and he was 60. I knew the bones of the story, but on the way home I made Michele tell me all the details. She is a writer and a great storyteller and I think she should write that story for those who are interested. But it’s her story to tell. If she does, I’ll guest post it here.
God is good. They are blessed. I was well and truly touched by being a part of the whole thing.
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