I'm very thankful today ... the sun is shining and I feel good. My Dad has been very sick of late ... he was in an induced coma for 12 days and on life support, he's undergone two very serious and risky operations in the last week, but he has a very strong heart and will to live.
We weren't sure if he would ever be able to be brought to consciousness, but last night they did so, and he was fine through the night. He woke this morning and his vitals were so good that they removed him from respiration and his body took over, strong and steady.
We were there through part of the night and this morning he talked to us, very briefly but enough to tell us that he's in very little pain and where the heck was the morning newspaper? I haven't been this happy and relieved in a very long time ... he's not out of the woods, not remotely, but this is a miracle to us, and a late but very welcome Christmas present.
I was never close to my Dad, he is just not an affectionate man, or the type of person able to express his feelings, but the first thing he said to us was "I love you", and while I've taken that phrase so much for granted at times, I can't remember ever hearing a sweeter sound. It's a good day, and I just want to wish everyone here a day full of blessings!
The Celtics WILL win tonight ... I just have that feeling. 
Truly sorry to hear about your dad's health but am heartened to hear that he is doing better. I will include him in my prayers for better health.
You know, it's funny. We all communicate here at Celticsblog and talk about different things, mostly sports related, and we think we get to know each other. It's when people open up a bit about their personal lives and the happenings there in that we realize we really know each other so very little. Because in many ways, it is what is happening to each of us everyday within our own worlds that shape what we do here at Celticsblog, how we respond within posts, how we interact, what threads we read and what posts and threads we respond to.
When life is good or we are feeling well, often that is how we respond here and it dictates the way in which we interact here. Humor, feel good stories, positive outlooks and camaraderie are often the result. When life isn't so good, often the tones and types of things we respond to often come to the forefront and the results are more negative, aggressive, angry, sensitive and/or depressing.
In real life, when you have people you interact with, sensing and seeing the wears and tears of life on a person is easy and often, it is through these visual, emotional and peripheral signs that we help to reach out to people, ask whats wrong, ask if there's something we can do, ask if they want to go out to take their mind off things. here, on the internet, on blogs and message boards, such ability to human interaction is impossible and one must read between the lines and have confidence enough to be able to ask if something is wrong without trying to be insulting or too personal. It's a tricky line to walk.
This is my first post in this thread and I think, maybe, we as a community should use it more often, especially for those that are heavy posters here at Celticsblog. Maybe, reading about what is happening in others lives will give us better perspective as too why people are posting in manners that they are. Maybe a patience, an understanding, a more face to face like knowledge of how a person is feeling and what is happening in their lives and why will come forth and we will better be able to respond accordingly. Maybe, it would lead to a better interaction overall and a better, more positive experience for all.
The reason for this is, I for one know that I have been extremely aggressive in my responses for quite a while. Life hasn't been easy and it definitely has effected my own personal blogging experience. I don't expect sympathy or empathy or even to be cut slack for over the top posting. But maybe those that knew me more and read here what was happening in my life would understand why I am reacting the way I am and not take what I am saying so seriously or hold what I say against me. Much like we all cut some slack to people we have in our everyday lives because they are having marital problems, health issues, grief, family situations, employment challenges, and the like, maybe we as a community will understand each other better and cut each other that little bit of slack and understanding that face to face friends and acquaintances do.
Just a thought.
