Sunday, November 8, 2009

Where's Dad?

Those of you that have read my blog or heard Linea and I speak around the country about our experiences with her bipolar disorder may wonder how her Dad is doing with all of this. A lot of dads fix things. Linea's dad wanted desperately to fix anything that was wrong with his daughter. He was always the one that raced to the airport and flew across the country when she was her sickest. He was the one that brought her home from college when she crashed into a life-threatening depression. He was the one that flew back and packed up her life and brought it home again. He was the one that told me, over and over again and even when he might have been unsure himself, "It will be okay." Linea wrote in her journal after a particularly hard time that she remembered when her Dad had glued her broken Tinkerbelle figurine back together and she said, "I need him to repair me. I am broken." He tried so hard to fix everything and when life was finally a little more stable he wondered why we would want to talk about the not-so-stable times all over again. But he continues to support us and he is proud of the strength of his daughter. She is putting herself back together again. Meanwhile he is out in a Seattle down-pour trying to keep the gutters open and the flood from coming in the back door. Staying on guard, fixing our lives. Thanks, honey!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like Conway told me a long time ago - "Thats My Job" and its the job I love to do. I am so proud of all my girls. I only wish I could do more - the Dad

"That's my job
that's what I do
everything I do is because of you to keep you safe with me
that's my job you see"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS-IGyAimfo

Alicia D said...

So sweet! what a great guy!

Thanks Cinda for giving me an update on your class and how they responded to CB and the treatment at the Lab Corp. I think this is the coolest thing that has happened to me since blogging. Nothing compares to having your story being read and used as a tool to help spread acceptance, awareness, and compassion. I am so touched and honored you did this for me personally, for my daughter, but most importantly for all people who experience this type of 'attitude' when a disability is more hidden or invisible. You are a real champion for doing this type of work and I was thrilled to be part of it, even peripherally :)
Thanks! Alicia

Corrie Howe said...

Dads are the most wonderful men in the world. We can't have enough of them!

Megan said...

My husband sounds like yours. He passionately loves our daughters, and his Caroline has a very special place in his heart. I don't know where I would be without him!!

Accidental Expert said...

What a wonderful guy! His dedication and calm sound amazing.

Katie Donohue Bevins said...

You sound like an amazing team. Linea is lucky to have you both. I was touched with the fixing of the broken tinkerbell image -- really beautiful. How truly special a father can be. Thanks.

erika said...

What a tribute to awesome dads :) I agree with Katie, Linea is lucky to have such great parents.

Linea said...

Haha. Whenever I think about that song, "That's my job", I feel like I am six and riding in the old blue pickup truck. Some things never change, even after all hell breaks loose. I love you dad!