Oreo Is Still Around…
It is the reasonable and right thing to do.  My mind and heart have been convinced.  Still, with every day, I find that I am just not tough enough to do it.  He hangs out on the patio until the heat of the day, when I let him into the house and he sleeks into his customary corner to sleep the day away.  There is not much interaction and little personality remains.  He is just an old dog.  But he is my old dog, indelibly connected to my life.  Some morning, sooner or later, I’ll carry him out to the car for a ride to the vet.  The deed will be done. Until then, I think I play the part of the Cowardly Lion quite well.

Moving Krystal Home From College
We left the house at 5:30 yesterday afternoon, and finished the move at 1:00 this morning.  Good grief, but I am getting too old for this.  She lives on the third floor of her apartment building, and it was necessary to park the truck a good distance from the door.  There was a lot of traveling up-and-down those four flights of stairs, and it was amazing how much “stuff” she has accumulated.  And a question I was mumbling, as I stumbled down said steps, was “Where’s that big, husky, no-good-boyfriend at this time?”  Actually there was little need to worry concerning his absence, because a hamburger or steak will draw him back to my vicinity.

Krystal had some very nice roommates, who also will be moving out in the next few weeks.  They watched and nibbled on cookies as I worked myself into a doctor’s appointment.  With a smile I asked one if she was going to work her dad this hard when she moved out?  With earnestness, she said no way, because she has not spoken with her dad in three years.  Three years!  I do not know enough to judge the situation.  But, how very sad.  I will semi-joyfully trudge up and down some stairs for the sake of a healthy relationship with my kid.
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For the next couple of days I intend to catch up on some comments, and get around to reading the brilliance-and-drivel of my fellow bloggers.  It’s good to be back!

Upcoming Topics I’ll Likely Be Writing About:
Insights From 2 Days Of Camping With Teenagers – or I’m Too Old For This!
Car Show – Beautiful Ford Pinto, Fine Chevy Vega
I Believe In Staying Together For The Sake Of The Kids
Diary Of A Prison Visit, Part III
A Bad Joke, & I Like It
He Thinks He Is Ministering, He’s Being Meddlesome, & He Is Making A Mess Of Things

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posted by: LadyG (reply)
post date: 07.23.08 (8:30 am)

What a great dad you are.

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posted by: fractalmom (reply)
post date: 07.23.08 (8:39 am)

WB PD

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posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 07.23.08 (8:47 am)

"huff n puff" ~ I do believe "we've all been there!"
... and so glad to hear you 'didn't get lost' !!!
:)

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posted by: OldSchool (reply)
post date: 07.23.08 (10:04 am)

I can vividly remember each of the moves I have made whether it was our family, college in & out, apartments or homes. The college moves are particularly memorable for some reason and I was always tremendously grateful to have my Dad always there by side almost killing himself working too hard helping.
I owe my parents much more than I could ever put into words or come close to repaying. I just hope that I can be there for my little girl in that same way my Mom & Dad have always been there for me when I needed them most (either emotionally or physically).
Whether you appreciate it enough at that moment in time or not, you always appreciate it when you look back.

Look forward to you upcoming posts. Have a good one.

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posted by: bawdy (reply)
post date: 07.23.08 (12:02 pm)

So where was the boyfriend while you were putting your back out?

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posted by: squirrelzone (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (7:18 am)

I think Oreo doesn't want to leave a good thing especially not wanting to break the delicate system that you and him have created.

As far as the boyfriend goes, perhaps he should be taken to the vet to be nutered....

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (7:41 pm)

Reply to: kurtmaddox
I'll be glad to help you with that move. A few more years of the current tax and housing situations in California, and surely you will join the mass exodus to a saner place?

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (7:44 pm)

Reply to: LadyG
Nice of you to think such. Often I struggle with relationships, just like the next guy. Krystal, my oldest, is a high quality person who has far surpassed me already.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (7:46 pm)

Reply to: fractalmom
WB? What the heck does that mean?
Warner Brothers
What a Bird-Brain

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (7:48 pm)

Reply to: auntconi
No, I didn't get lost. I've been lost many times. When traveling, and I have the time, I enjoy finding new routes to places and exploring strange roadways. Such indulges my inner child, I think because as a little boy we did not have a car and so it was such a treat to travel anywhere in a vehicle. I still enjoy long trips. Maybe i'll drive up your way sometime?

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (7:52 pm)

Reply to: OldSchool
Very nice insight. My wife's dad was always willing to travel out, all the way from his home in California, to helop us with our too-frequent cross country moves. At the time I found him a good bit of an irritation. Now I understand better that it was an act of love. I wish he was still around, so I could tell him.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (7:54 pm)

Reply to: bawdy
Boyfriend? Conveniently, he had an unavoidable detainment. And, he said, he felt bad about it.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (7:55 pm)

Reply to: squirrelzone
Delicate system? I like that. Indeed, Oreo & I have a complicated "understanding", and it seems to be working right now. Guess I'll keep him around a bit longer.

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posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 07.24.08 (9:14 pm)

Reply to: PastorDave

I used to like going on 'trips' with my dad ~ he used to call it 'exploring' ~ he used to like to check out remote areas; as we would be driving in the country (in the U.P. usually) he would say, "let's see what is down at the end of this road" ~ of course he probably knew where he was but us kids thought it was fun ~ especially when we got to the end of the road and "a lighthouse" was there, or something equally as exciting.

If you folks do get this way ~ I would be sooo happy ~ please let me know and we can plan a party!
(or just make s'mores)
:)

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posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 07.28.08 (3:23 pm)

You may believe in staying together for the sake of the kids, but I've yet to see a study that suggests it's a good idea. I know, I know, it doesn't matter 'cuz it's what you believe and that's enough for you, but unless it's a loving relationship - which is damn hard to fake for honest people - it's a lousy thing to subject children to.

Must be very hard to get up the nerve to put Oreo down. I've only had to do it once and it took me months. Once I'd done it, it didn't take long to get over it though. As long as he's not moaning in pain all day long, might as well put it off till you know it's time.

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posted by: spook102956 (reply)
post date: 07.29.08 (5:33 am)

Ha, ha! It's not funny about your dog, but the title is. It sounds like you can't kill the dog but that your daughter's boyfriend might be a different story.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.29.08 (6:45 am)

Reply to: spook102956
Yes. You have accurately discerned the struggle within my heart. I try to be a nice guy, but sometimes I am but an impulse away from doing something totally inappropriate- like severely harming her latest boyfriend.

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posted by: fractalmom (reply)
post date: 07.29.08 (7:21 am)

Reply to: PastorDave

WB = Welcome Back.......:)

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posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 07.29.08 (6:30 pm)

Reply to: PastorDave ~ "I am but an impulse away from doing something totally inappropriate- like severely harming her latest boyfriend..."

Excuse me, but ~ hehehehe

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posted by: Distraught (reply)
post date: 07.31.08 (5:00 am)

I am a female pastor of a small rural congregation. My 20 year old daughter is pregnant. Is there any chance of emailing you rathering than blogging about this situation? I am struggling with how to tell my husband (her step-father) who is also a pastor - their relationship is already strained ... and of course, how to tell my congregation and presbytery. It's a small town and I was struck by your comment that your situation would have been impossible in a smaller community ... it's tough days ahead and I am particularly struggling that all solutions seem to be equally impossible.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 07.31.08 (7:31 am)

Reply to: Distraught
It would be an honor to dialog with you about this matter. I do not have all the answers. But honest and compassionate conversation is always good.

e-mail me at mounttabor (at) mybluelight (dot) com.
Sorry about the cryptic e-mail address. This site flags and blocks straightforward addresses!

I'll be looking for your correspondence.

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