An Unexpected Turn

It was late June and Pops had been working with one of his crews the last couple of weeks to finish a big job. He does not do too much of the hands-on construction work anymore, but several people had come down with a virus and they were short staffed.

Pops pitched in to help, working long days, side by side with his guys until the job was complete.

A week later Pops came home from work, and he was not feeling well. 

He was unusually tired, short of breath, and felt like he had heartburn. We thought he was coming down with the virus too. But as the night wore on, he got sicker, and eventually GiGi drove him to the emergency room.

By the time Nick and I arrived, they had determined Pops had had a heart attack.

They needed to quickly rush him into surgery to unblock his arteries. As we kissed him on his cheeks, and watched them roll him away, all we could do is hold GiGi’s hands and pray that he would be okay.

Nick and I were both stunned. We kept saying, Pops seemed so invincible. He is always full of energy, busy at the construction company and in helping people in the community. 

How could this happen to him?

Y’all, it can be scary watching our parents age. When they get sick it is as if our world has spun off its axis. At least that is how it felt for us, as we waited for what felt like hours for word.

When the doctor eventually came out, he told us the surgery was a success. They were able to clear the blockage. Pops would need rehab and would have to take it easy for a while, but he would be okay.

We were so relieved to hear the news, and grateful he had arrived at the hospital in time.

However, when we saw Pops in the hospital bed later that evening, we both knew. It was our turn to take care of Pops and GiGi, the way they had always taken care of us.