Onions have a way of providing the perfect bite to great salsa or pico de gallo. They add great flavor to many foods and recipes. Onions also cause tears to stream down our face as though we have lost all control. Biochemistry tells us why. You see, onions retain high levels of sulfur in conjunction with amino acids. When we cut into them, various enzymes mix with the sulfur rich amino acids and create syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This volatile chemical vaporizes and creates a burning sensation when it comes in contact with our eyes. Our naturally protective brain triggers a tear response to flush the irritant and viola, tears galore.
An odd intro, I know, but this should bring it full circle: Today my daughter asked if I cry sometimes when I write about Grandpa. I told her that I usually do. She responded saying writing is just like an onion; it can help make things better even though it makes you cry. After hearing this, I simply could not pass up writing about this insightful analogy from an 8 year old.
I find myself thinking about Dad and writing about him and how I feel fairly often. Most of what I write gets saved to a folder in Evernote that will likely never be seen by anyone else. The ones that produce the most tears often help the most. A few of them, the ones that are more informational in nature, turn into updates that get posted on the Upside-of-Down.com blog. So, here is an attempt at a primarily informational update.
First, Dad is feeling OK overall. Afternoons seem to be his best time of day. The quantity of coughing overnight plays a role in the quality of both the night and the morning. Dad still has fluid on the right side of his chest where his lung used to be. According to the pulmonologist, this fluid likes to find its way into healthy lung tissue and cause significant irritation. The sheer quantity of fluid he coughs up in a sitting is astounding. It is also painful and uncomfortable just to witness which is why it is understandable that this makes him exhausted and feel awful. Abdominal pain is another factor, but one that the most amazing Hospice nurse Julie is helping with considerably. Dad says he can feel changes in his body and he has decreasing energy in general. Despite this, Dad is a pleasure to be around. He seems truly happy to be home and to be spending time with family and friends. There are moments when he seems to be his normal healthy self – quick witted, creating OCD check sheets and lists. Other moments feel too real and fragile to bear.
Dad is also particularly excited for tomorrow. I am sure you are all aware of his beloved cabin, which he calls the CKC (crown king cabin). If you haven’t seen it, you can check it out at crownkingcabin.shutterfly.com which hasn’t been updated in some time but shows some beautiful pictures of the home away from home. To understand Dads level of excitement you must first understand his infatuation with the CKC. It is immense. In fact, I don’t fully understand why he doesn’t live there full time based on how much he enjoys it. The drawback is that the LONG and BUMPY dirt road to get there has been a deterrent this last year with all of the medical complications. He has been longing to return to the CKC, “just one more time.” Tomorrow, Saturday, is that day! My grandmother, whom I affectionately nicknamed Blue-One, is making it all happen. Since the long road is too much for Dad, Blue-One has chartered a helicopter to take my Dad directly to the cabin! We will be flying out of Glendale airport and should touch down on Dads property, just steps away from the porch of his beloved CKC!
While Dad is thrilled to be given such a thoughtful gift, he is also sad at the thought of this being his last trip to his sanctuary. I do anticipate many of the locals stopping in for a cold refreshment and an opportunity to spend time with a great friend who seems to be a bit of a local legend every time we go up 😉
So off we go in a helicopter to embrace another day of life and love. There will undoubtedly be a few occasions where the onions will overtake our eyes during this day trip, but happiness is a comparative emotion. There are no peaks without valleys. What is important to embrace now is that regardless of where we are, there are more peaks and valleys to come. Allowing ourselves to fully experience the joys and sorrows of life allows us to fully experience life itself. I am grateful to fully experience life with my Dad, from sitting on the couch sharing stories to riding in helicopters, for as much time as we have left together. Though this degree pain and sorrow was unanticipated, so was the immense degree of love and joy in the moments we now find them.
With Hope and Love,
Richard
The Upside of Down - an update on hope, love, and oncology 
What a wonderful way to see the cabin another memory to cherish. Prayers to all
Christine Peterson
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“Onions and Helicopters”, what an amazing title to a story of great hope, love and family!
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A wonderful gift to a great man…I know he will love the experience. Aunt Connie & I have remained in the background for some obvious & some not so obvious reasons. It is because we love you all…not due to less love. We pray you all understand. With love & prayers, AC & UL
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Thank you for your love and prayers. We love you both very much.
Kevin and Mary
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I only have 1 million memories of Kevin Harless,my friend,my classmate, my brother-in-law, beloved uncle to my daughter, beloved uncle and Godfather to my son,….and I will cherish each one for the rest of my time on earth. Literally the most courageous and relentless man I’ve ever known. I don’t think it would be possible to be more proud of you and I love you so much. 42 blessed years, thank you my Brother.
Richard, you continue to astound me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you’ve done to keep us in touch.
I’ll see you all on Wednesday…continue to hold each moment with your loved ones in your heart, it is our Creator’s most precious gift.
Love & Prayers,
Mark
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What a wonderful gift! He spoke often about going to the cabin and his love for that special place!
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Awesome Kevin dad would be happy knowing his gun is his legacy to his great grandson. What a treasure leaving your family all these wonderful memories of life with you. Wish I was sharing in them with you. Love you
Mom number 2
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