During one of our last afternoons together at Hospicare, my dad told me that if he could recover, he would want to come back to Hospicare and make people lunch. One of the most amazing things about the organization is that they will help you regardless of your ability to pay.

My father was not one for community service or good nutrition when walking was still an option. He was more of a steak and red wine with cookies man. However, the care that we both received after his glioblastoma diagnosis changed both of us. For me, knowing that my father was cared for, clean, and loved allowed me time to do my own work of grieving. 

 "The food," he said, "is so good here, and everyone is so nice. I would like to do that for others, if I could. They made me a BLT today," he said, still not quite able to believe it. 

"I'm going to be swimming across that lake every summer, aren't I Dad?" I said, referencing this fundraiser.

"Oh but you'll enjoy it," he said, taking  another bite of his sandwich, and arranging his cookies on his plate. 

I swam that year, after he had passed on. 

I'll swim again this year, and I'll enjoy it again.