Phone Call to Heaven

I picked up the phone and pressed (000) HEAVEN-2...that's 000-432-8362.
Ring, ring.  Ring, ring.

"Hello?"
"Hello.  I'd like to speak to Floyd Covill, please."
"This is he."
"Dad?  Oh, Dad!  It's so good to hear your voice!  I've been wanting to talk to you for the longest time!  I know you have better things to do, so just listen while I talk, okay?

First of all, we continue to miss you every single day.  I've come to know you and understand you so much more than when you were here with us on Earth!  And speaking of life on Earth, things are a mess here.  Shades of the 60s and 70s with all kinds of political and philosophical unrest.  I know how much you hated all of that.  You'd hate it now, too.  One interesting thing, though:  people have gone bat-crap-crazy over veterans.  If you were living today and wearing one of your American Legion caps, you would be stopped on the street and thanked for your service.  You would probably have liked that if it had happened in your day, but in your day, thousands and thousands of men joined the military because we were at war.  You signed on because it was somewhat expected.  You weren't in it for glory.  You considered it your duty as an American, fighting a war so your descendants wouldn't have to.  I think you'd be embarrassed by the "new" patriotism.  It's all show and no go.

But, Dad...that's not why I called.  Do you remember telling your daughter, Shari, to "be a good wife" when she married Roger?  Well, she took it to heart.  You may not be aware of all of the things she went through in her marriage to him, even when you were still with us, but I'm here to tell you that it wasn't easy!  Roger was demanding, critical, judgmental, and petulant, at times or all at once, but she remained strong either because of or in spite of him, with a lot of happy times in between.  (She is definitely an Armstrong/Covill woman!)  I used to say that either she was the most patient woman in the world, or the most stupid.  She has stuck with him through thick and thin.  At one time, they had a lot of friends and did a lot of fun things.  I envied them that.  Roger turned into a kick-ass provider for them because of wise investments and good decisions.  They've been together 55 years now.  Imagine that!

A few years ago, Roger was diagnosed with dementia.  In the very beginning, she told him, "We are in this together".  And she meant it.  Dad, she is being a "good wife".  And now that he has descended into some major health problems and mind problems, she continues to roll with the punches.  She could easily send him to an institution, but she is doing everything she can to make things "normal" for him at home.  Her every waking moment deals with his needs, from cleaning a soiled diaper to finding things he can eat.  He isn't very cooperative, but she hangs in.  I want you to know that she has gone way beyond your admonishment to be a good wife.  She is a saint!  You'd be so proud of your eldest!

Those of us who know and understand what Shari is going through worry about her.  I mean, she's no spring chicken, either!  Dad, if you can pull any strings with the Big Guy where you are, please ask for mercy.  She won't give up on Roger until she is absolutely forced to, but even she deserves some peace.

I just wanted you to know how your words impacted Shari's life...and the rest of us, as well.  She rose to the occasion to care for you through your last days on Earth.  She has done the same with her husband.

Thanks for listening, Dad!  I love you!"

"Thanks for telling me, Peg.  I already knew, but it sounds good hearing it from you.  Be well!  We here in Heaven are making a place for you when the time comes.  Don't be afraid.  It's all good!  We love you."

*Click*