Day 8 Update: Captain Blow Dry and the Boys

Today was a shorter visit, but one of the richest yet.

Three of Dad’s Air Force squadron buddies came to see him. One flew in, one drove up from Southern California, and one came down from Northern California. These are men who have known each other for over 50 years. When they walked into that room, the smile on Dad’s face said everything. No words needed — just that big smile.

I’d never met two of them in person before. They probably saw me as a baby, but I have no memory of that. Watching them gathered around his bed, talking to him, being with him — seeing Captain Blow Dry in the middle of his people — that was something I won’t forget.

After they left, we got to meet his new doctor on the 9th floor — a good chance to connect with the team now taking care of him.

Dad is working hard at talking, but it takes a lot out of him — it genuinely wears him down. He’s pushing through it, though — which is exactly who he is.

And then there was the moment of the day. Dad was trying to tell my brother “I love you” — and what came out instead was “F*** you.” My brother and his girlfriend’s daughter, April, were there for it and said it was absolutely hilarious. From here on out, anytime you hear “F*** you” — just know it might actually be “I love you.”

On the way out, we ran into one of his former ICU nurses down on the first floor as we were leaving — she may have been heading back from lunch. She was genuinely interested in how he was doing, wanting to know how he was progressing. Just another sign of the good people and great nurses who have shown up for Dad throughout this journey.