I brought my dads watch home with me when I left. I am pretty sure it is the same Timex watch with a plastic strap that he bought at a KMART in Florida a few years back when we were going on a family cruise, – the cover photo of this blog was taken on that cruise, much hilarity was had by all. Dad is never able to wear rings or expensive watches because he is constantly doing something, usually dangerously misguided, like welding with his shirt off or pouring corrosive sealants onto unsuspecting objects. I have been picking at what seems to be red anti-rust paint that is splattered all over the edge and strap. The plastic face is totally scratched and I can only imagine how many times it has been ground, clobbered and pummelled onto hard surfaces. The strap still has a faded MADE IN CHINA gold sticker on it, which always strikes me as funny that they make those stickers in shiny gold because nothing says quality like a MADE IN CHINA sticker. Overall its a pretty shitty watch and I love it.

The doctor gave Mum and Trudy some sobering news this morning. He is highly concerned about the healing potential of the screws into the bone due to how brittle the spondylosis has made them along with the fact that there are signs of osteoporosis, creating a very porous and vascular structure. He is worried and is all out of alternate options. We are worried. He is managing expectations by giving us a solid 50/50 prognosis. He will be in the ICU for at least another 2 weeks. It could be longer. My stomach is living in a tight ball of twine knotted somewhere behind my ribcage and heart. Everything feels like it is totally where it shouldn’t be. Most especially my dad.

His mood is not great, the uncertainty of all of this is taking its toll, on all of us. My Dad and I pray to a very similar place. My sister and my Mum pray to the very same person. The truth is in the end it all boils down to the same thing, love and hope in this unsettlingly volatile world. If there is such a thing as a miracle we really need to have all of the stops pulled out now and for it to get here as fast as it can.

We know nothing yet, outside of the hope and knowledge that Jim has already overcome things in life that could crumble most giants. I cling to this idea right now and tighten this watch strap.

Get here as fast as you can, Miracle. We are waiting for you.