Thursday, January 08, 2004

My dear Dad:

I was saddened by the news yesterday that my father, who is now 84, has been diagnosed with colon cancer, the doctor giving him only a few months to live. He is unable to eat, requiring to be fed intravenously. He has been hospitalized for the past few days and is being moved to a care center where he will probably spend the remaining days of his life.

He has been remarkably healthy all of his life, having out lived two wives, his third now quite sick herself. He has lived without any previous complications of any kind except for a short stint with skin cancer from all those years of working out in the sun (having lived on a cattle ranch in Meeker Colorado until he joined the air force during World War II). 

With some degree of bias, I would like to tell him that he is a wonderful man, whom I have looked up to my whole life. He has accomplished so much, has experienced so much, has served much, and has helped so many people. He has served his wives well, having to take care of two of them during rough times of illness. He has waited on them hand and foot, taking care of their every need, dedicating his life to their care.

He has had a good life, with much personal growth, now very ready to move on to the next phase of his eternal progression. He has been so active in his church, his religion, his community, and has added value to the lives of all that he has come in contact with.

He has a great sense of humor, always cracking jokes and saying little funny things. He has added levity and humor to life, in all his doings. It has been great kidding around with him, making fun, and imitating his gestures.

I have learned much from him about life. He taught me early on the value of hard work, of doing a job well, to always do your best whatever you are doing. Much of my work ethic I contribute to him.

He is an honest man in all his dealings, without any guile or evil thoughts towards any other human being. He has arrived at that point we all desire, to be able to love others unconditionally.

He will be deeply missed. I only hope that I will be able to see him again in March when I return, though at the same time hoping he won’t have to suffer too much till then. I just want to be able to speak with him face to face one more time, remembering how it was to lose my mother last April while I was over here.

I am going to stay in close touch with him by phone until then.

Dad, you should have no regrets, just joy and happiness regarding your life, knowing the wonderful place where you are going. I love you Dad.

Not much time left:

With my pace quickened and my focus sharpened, I endeavor to finish up everything I have started, now with only two months left before returning home. I feel a certain amount of urgency, knowing my time is getting short and I have much left to accomplish during my time here.

With only so much time in a day, I am endeavoring to get more organized and directed, my daily to do lists now growing long and longer. I have stopped exercising, dancing and doing other such activities in order to finish up all the projects I have started. Sleep has now even taken a second seat to work.

Even if I don’t finish everything, I hope to at least set everything in motion with a good solid basis for completion by the person taking my place. With the help of many good Iraqi people who have promised to contribute their time, “OperationGive.Org� will continue on even in my absence. The toys will get distributed to the needy children of this country, with love and care.

My days are filling up at an every increasing fast pace, with 8 or 9 appointments a day, and lists of action items on numerous cases, all of which we are making progress with. The witnesses are stepping forward one by one, each with further evidence regarding the cases against numerous high level people in the police, the ministries, and more.

Life is good.

Take care till later.

Chief Wiggles