that's my job, that's what I do...

It's a line from a old country tune sung by Conway Twitty. I would want to give Dad thanks, want to do something in return for something he had done for me...but his answer was always the same,....no..no..no! "That's my job, that's what I do."

Today, we sorta reversed roles. The ambulance took Dad to the hospital and I met him there.
Mom is exhausted and did not go up with Dad. I sat by his side throughout the day, throughout the tests, answered questions when he would look over at me like a lost soul and I was, thankfully, able to answer them for the medical staff. Dad is back home tonight. What does the future hold...I dunno....but, I do know that being by his side is my job. ' Cause now it's time to say to him - "that's my job, that's what I do" .... actually I did say that as I left him to rest in his own chair tonight...when he tried to say thanks for being by his side.

Here are the lyrics to that song that my Dad referred to often.....

                        
I woke up cryin' late at night - when I was very young
I had dreamed my father - had passed away and gone
My world revolved around him - I couldn't lie there anymore
So I made my way down the mirrowed hall and tapped upon his door.

And I said, "Daddy, I'm so afraid!
How would I go on, with you gone that way?
Don't wanna cry anymore
So may I stay with you?"

And he said,
"That's my job, that's what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me ...
That's my job, you see."

Later we barely got along - this teenage boy and he
Most of the fights it seems - were over different dreams
We each held for me ...
He wanted knowledge and learning - I wanted to fly out west
"Said I could make it out there - if I just had the fare
I got half, will you loan me the rest?"

And I said, "Daddy, I'm so afraid
Theres no guarentee in the plans I've made
And if I should fail, who will pay my way back home?"

And he said,
"That's my job, that's what I do
Ev'rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me ...
That's my job, you see."

Every person carves his spot - and fills the hole with life
And I pray someday I might - light as bright as he.

Woke up early one bright fall day - read the tragic news
After all my travels, I settled down - within a mile or two
I make my livin' with words and rhymes - and all the tragedies
Should go into my head and out instead - as bits of poetry.

But I say, "Daddy I'm so afraid
How will I go on - with you gone this way
How can I come up - with a song to say, "I love you."

"That's my job, that's what I do
Ev'rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me ...
That's my job, you see."