The pillar of strength

I have a tendency to worry about things, but only regarding myself.

When it comes to my family and friends, I tend to maintain a sense of strength and level-headedness about me. Apparently, this is something that people that know me have picked up on. My Dad, in particular.

I bring that up right now because my Dad is having some surgery on Monday. Something fairly major, but necessary. I don't really want to go into it, but know that it's not a simple tonsil removal or anything. I'm not worried about it, as it's the sort of thing that is done quite often, and is typically quite successful, and I have no reason to believe it won't be for my Father.

My Dad and I are close. We have been since I was a kid. He's a good Father, and I count myself very lucky—especially knowing the sorts of relationships I know other people have with their Fathers. There are many qualities of his that I seem to have inherited, including the ability to control my emotions for the sake of others (and myself, at times), and to be the strength that the people around me need for support.

He said as much to me when he and I had lunch on Monday of this past week. That he's figuring me to be the one that makes sure my Stepmother doesn't hover over him too much while he's in the hospital (for just a couple of days), to make sure she actually takes some time away from the hospital while he's in there, and to take care of things around the house while he's in there.

His best friend called me yesterday (they've been friends since high school) to talk to me about the surgery, and make sure that I had his phone number and knew that if he needed to come out here for ANY reason, to call and he'd be on the first plane over (he lives in Arizona). I asked him if he wanted me to call him after the surgery, and he said he did. That as much as he loves my Stepmom, that she's not me... and that he knows he'll get the information from me straight, and not colored with an overabundance of emotion. Some emotion (perhaps relief?), but not anything melodramatic.

So I'm off to his house (on Monday) for the next several days to look after the house, the dog, and various other things.

But most of all, I'm going out there to be there for my Dad.