[Christ]

Matt - this is part of the reason I came "home"... I'm not sure how long my Father has left in him, but I hope it's a good long time yet... However, it seems like each time I talk to him, his health has declined moreso than last time (which sucks, because I work with him every weekend...)

I don't go easy on him, though. He'd have it no other way... when we're working together, I'm the boss - I decide what project to work on, and how hard we work on it. He does his best to keep up, and I razz him for taking breaks and such, although he knows I don't expect him to work any harder than I would, and often, I don't expect him to work at all.

Today, we were digging pits of shale out of the hill across from his house. While I was throwing 300+lb pieces down the hill, he was resigned to picking up and stacking the smaller, sub-50lb pieces. He just can't do what he used to do...

Matt, life lasts only so long - please, make the best of the time you have left with your Father, and the time left in your own life. I don't believe you'll ever regret dropping everything to be with your loved ones. IMO, nothing is more important than family. They're all you truly have in this world. No one can take your family from you, so don't give them away, either.

Sorry to hear about your Father, and here's to good times with Dad.