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| My father in 2011, before the Parkinson's diagnosis |
A very brief post here. My father passed away on the last day of May. He was a few months shy of 88 years old. He hadn't walked since some back surgeries about eleven years ago, though for some of those years he could get about the house with a walker. He endured lots of health problems, from pneumonias to broken ankles, but Parkinson's Disease was the most debilitating, relentless to the very end, leaving a working mind trapped inside a wasting and barely-responsive body. I was his caregiver. The last three or four years were very difficult, to put it mildly. The last six months were appalling, more so for him, of course, but appalling for me as well, if in different ways. Now his suffering is over. I'm grateful to many sympathetic friends who have helped me to keep going through this difficult time. And I'm looking forward to getting back to a number of projects that have stalled at various points over the years while filial duties took precedence.
On a much lighter note, Mashable has put out a three-minute version of Peter Jackson's
Hobbit films. It's just the right length. View it
here. Enjoy.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Doug, but understand the complexities of your grief. My dad died a year ago next week, after suffering from Parkinson's with dementia. Best wishes to you. — Deb Sabo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb. My father didn't get too far into dementia. When he could still speak, he was often loopy for the first half hour or so after waking up. With your father I'm sure the dementia made it harder in different ways. Too many friends seem to be entering the age of parental passings. Wishing you the best too, Doug
DeleteDeepest condolences, Prof. Doug & son par excellence.
ReplyDeleteCondolences appreciated. Thanks, Doug
DeleteYou're in our thoughts. Holler if I can do anything for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elektra. It seems like Ages since we last saw each other. All best, Doug
ReplyDeleteDoug, my deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts have been with you, Doug. May you be rewarded for your unstinting dedication and love.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear about your Father, Doug.
ReplyDeleteThanks, David, Doug and Sean. Even knowing that his passing was coming soon didn't do much to lessen the impact. All best, Doug
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Anderson, I would like to extend our most sincere condolences to you on behalf of all the writers of Sutu Boğda. We're a writers collective in Istanbul, Turkey, gathered together to research, understand and write on J.R.R.Tolkien's life and legendarium and for many years your books have been an invaluable resource in our library and have been a guiding light in our journey into understanding Tolkien. We're sorry to hear the passing of your father and hope our sympathy and heartfelt condolences bring you and your family comfort. Best wishes -- Editor-in-chief at Sutu Boğda
ReplyDeleteThanks to you and everyone at Sutu Boğda. My father was not a literary person, but he was amused in a fatherly way when I would tell him of foreign interest in my work, like translations into Japanese, Hungarian, Korean, etc. So the idea that I would receive kind words on his passing from Istanbul would similarly have intrigued him. Thank you!
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