Sleep Less, but Life is Richer

Early afternoon and my eyes feel heavy.  Went to bed late and woke up early. Had early morning workout and it’s hard to lift my arms.  Blood sugar was high because I ate late. Yesterday was nice. Spent in LA with cousin Mike. His daughter had a birthday party at Skyzone. Think gymnastics with lots and lots of trampolines. Never really hung out with him before. We worked in the same industry and were almost co-workers.

He was tired yesterday. So tired that he fell asleep texting. Eyes were closed. Head was down. But his hands were tapping away on the IPhone. Snoring away and his hands were still texting. It was  something to Youtube. I passed though. So you will just have to imagine. A Good Guy Mike is. Spent the evening before sleeping in an uncomfortable hospital chair as his wife hooked to an IV getting antibiotics. Ten minutes of sleep for anyone is rough for anyone. Mike is a trooper, though. 

It was nice at Skyzone. So nice I felt jealous. I wanted to jump in the foam  blocks. I wanted to jump in the trampoline and do a jack knife. To do an inverse. To do an aerial. I know it would not be wise, but not sure my body would acquiesce. Mind is willing, but body. . .not so much.

Was asked to bring a walker to my Uncle. He is feeling the effects of years of smoking. False bravado as reality sets in. Can’t breathe. Can’t walk up the stairs. Several hospital visits in the last few months. Jaundiced eyes.  His reality is coming quick to bare.

His sons, my cousins, are going through life. One is son is a new father and I am Godfather. His other son moved to the PI with his family.

Seeing all this Fatherdom it makes me sad. I failed miserably. Won’t go into detail, but I am not proud.

When I look at my brother and his wonderful kids. I look at Dorian, Precie, and Lynn. He is a good man.

As I go to these kiddie birthday parties, when I attend gymnastic and judo competition, when I see the look at their eyes as they hold their Lala and Papas, it brings joy and sadness. Looking at my Uncle as his body struggles, I see that ravages are eased when he walks hold his grandchildren. There are disappointments and angry moments at times with own kids, but he is, they are much the richer.