This morning, I barely miss getting my cell phone out to answer a call. It was one of my brothers in Virginia. How unusual for him to call - this can't be good. You know that feeling when you start to feel your chest tighten?

"It's dad." He's in the hospital. He was moved from the nursing home to the hospital last night. He has a kidney infection, pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He's getting medicine to combat all three conditions and he's comfortable now. He's sleeping and he'll get good care.

Dad's going to recover. He's going to go back to the nursing home. I'll go back to Virginia to visit, again.

But, one day, one of my siblings is going to call and dad will be gone. I think it will be this kind of combination of ailments. These are all his weakest links.

"What room is he in?"
"1097"
"Does he have a phone?"
"Yes, but he isn't talking very well. He's stuttering and having a hard time putting his thoughts together. He's best with 'yes' and 'no' questions. He doesn't look good."

I'm going to call him soon to talk. He may not be able to produce a lot of complex sentences right now, but I think he will appreciate getting a call.

Life is complicated and short.