My dad graduated from the U in 1954. A 3 sport athlete in high school, he’s the one who instilled my love of sports. Growing up a few blocks from Bloomington Lincoln, he and I would often make the cold walk for the last 2 periods of the high school basketball games - because you could get in free after halftime - and I loved the excitement and action of the sport. (I remember the moment he told me we USED to have a pro team and the outrage that the Lakers had started in Minneapolis!)
Dad has followed the 3 major sports at the U faithfully, but at 89 he’s no longer able to attend. This week we had a tough appointment with his cardiologist. While dad has mild dementia, he’s pretty aware of the challenges he faces, and while he feels good, his cardiovascular problems are pretty life-threatening. We were talking today, over tea, about life and death. He’s been having dreams of relatives who have passed on. We were discussing the mystery of death, and the things that reassure him.
Then he said, “There’s one thing I really want to know.”
What is that, Dad, I replied
"I want to know what channel the basketball game is on. Last time I couldn’t find the right channel!”
We laughed practically to tears, and then I set it up for him so he can just turn it on tonight.
Go Gophers!
Dad has followed the 3 major sports at the U faithfully, but at 89 he’s no longer able to attend. This week we had a tough appointment with his cardiologist. While dad has mild dementia, he’s pretty aware of the challenges he faces, and while he feels good, his cardiovascular problems are pretty life-threatening. We were talking today, over tea, about life and death. He’s been having dreams of relatives who have passed on. We were discussing the mystery of death, and the things that reassure him.
Then he said, “There’s one thing I really want to know.”
What is that, Dad, I replied
"I want to know what channel the basketball game is on. Last time I couldn’t find the right channel!”
We laughed practically to tears, and then I set it up for him so he can just turn it on tonight.
Go Gophers!