I can't wait until next weekend. 

Bob (my husband) and myself are going to pick up Dad and Mom and take them to Galveston for a few days.  Dad has never been to Galveston and he has always wanted to see the beach and the Gulf of Mexico.

Dad deserves that.  I mean, he's been through so much these past few years and he's not getting any better.  If anything, he's gotten worse; in fact, doctors don't give him more than a year to live.  So while he is able to go, Bob and I will be taking him and Mom with us.  We are really looking forward to it.

Dad has multiple sclerosis, the kind that progressively gets worse and kills.  It has not been a very easy journey for any of us, but I figure while Dad can get around (via his chair), we had better make the best of it and make the last months of his life as enjoyable as possible.

Bob and I have been to Galveston numerous times; it's our favorite vacation destination.  There is so much to do, not only for couples like us, but young romantics, families, senior citizens.  Even the kids can be guranteed to have fun while in Galveston, especially since Pleasure Pier opened this past summer after months and weeks of anticipation.

So far, we've taken Dad to Alaska (last summer) for a cruise, taken him fishing in Colorado, taken him to see Interlochen (Christmas lights display in Arlington, not too far from where we live), and so much more.  Dad has had so much fun and we have plenty of pictures (and videos), great memories that will last a lifetime.

It's just too bad that Dad's health has deterioated to where he needs the wheelchair all the time and suffers from intractable pain (due to muscle spasms and spasticity).  I wish we could do something to alleviate his suffering or at least let him live longer!  The thought of his impending death is more than us, his family, could ever want to bear!

Well, I have to make some last minute phone calls to the hotel we are staying at in addition to several of the attractions down in Galveston, to see if they have a handicap-accessible room for my father and to make sure that everything is ready.  We want this trip to Galveston to be one for the ages!!  And most of all we want Dad to have the time of his life!!

~To be continued!~