During the fall of 2008 I learned what words can mean and how they can make you feel.

I was working 50 miles from home that sunny fall day, the trees had amazing color, the wind was gentile however it had that cool breeze , there was a faint smell of burning wood in the air. Thinking to myself that day how amazing life is and how grateful I am to be in this place at this time in my life…

Later that morning my phone rang it was my wife…She had gone over my folks house to “check in”. They live just down the street from house so we look after them on a regular basis, mom was helping out at school that day do day was all alone. I heard those words…you better come home something is wrong with your father. Now that’s words you never want to hear…My Dad was having a stroke…I rushed toward home driving like a madman…On my way home my wife called me to tell me my Dad was now at the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital he was is in the emergency room the doctors were trying to figure out what to do to save his life…It was determined my Dad needed to go to Mass General Hospital in Boston Mass via Med-flight.I can remember as they loaded Dad into the Med-flight I asked the doctor what were his chances ??? He turned and looked me dead in the eye and said…Son your Dad has a 50/50 percent chance of survival !!!!  More words I didn’t want to hear…Was my Dad going to be called up to the next Journey today ??

I have to tell you that was the longest drive to Boston that day…I myself never said a word…When we arrived Dad was in intensive care , however he was still alive…The doctors said the type of stroke Dad had was a clot not a bleed, which was a bit of a relief ?? My wife’s actions saved my fathers life.

The doctors later that day told us Dad had Acute Aphasia which gets in the way of a person’s ability to use or understand words. Aphasia does not impair the person’s intelligence. People who have aphasia may have difficulty speaking and finding the “right” words to complete their thoughts. They may also have problems understanding conversation, reading and comprehending written words, writing words, and using numbers.

My Dad used “words” I could no longer understand, However the doctors said with therapy most of his speech would return..And so most of it did…Today Dad is almost back to his old self…sort of…Sometimes a bit confused…Other times appears Ok…We’ve come to learn and understand his new words in place of words…I don’t care what he says I’m just grateful he is still here…

That October day I had no control over those words…But each day you and I can control our words…The vitality of our thoughts determines the words which become mental places that will live forever, of they may become shacks which the first breeze will carry away. They may delight the eye as well as the ear; they may contain all knowledge; in them we find the history of the past as well as the hope of the future; they are living messengers from which every human and superhuman activity is born.It has been said that “the accuracy in building words and sentences is the highest form of architecture in civilization and is a passport to success”.

As you go through this week make note of the words you choose…Your ability to utilize the creative power of thought places an invincible weapon in your hands…and be the master of your destiny…Make today your best…

~Stay Strong~