I’ve always been a “daddy’s girl” and for most of my life, I saw my dad as one of the world’s greatest superheroes. As a young child, I believed I had the coolest dad. A dad who read to me, taught me how to roller skate, introduced me to jazz, let me have a sip of his beer, taught me how to play Poker, Yahtzee, and Scrabble, talked me into riding my first rollercoaster and held my hand throughout the ride, and loved eating Oreo cookies with my sister and me. He encouraged us to learn Chamorro and Spanish, do well academically, and become involved in extra curricular activities.

My dad traveled quite a bit for work, leaving my mother to raise two young girls on her own. Every time he came home, he brought the coolest gifts ranging from koala bears made out of kangaroo fur, real boomerangs, Ethiopian art, African wood carvings, and jewelry. For several years, my invincible father could do no wrong; at  least in my eyes.

When I was 5, I locked myself in our bathroom and didn’t know how to unlock the door. My dad’s voice was calm and patient as he tried to talk me through unlocking the door. When I couldn’t, he told me to stand in the bathtub while he busted the door open. I was rescued! Daddy was a hero.

Move forward to over 4 decades later and you will see a very different man. Suddenly my dad is 74 and in the hospital. He was diagnosed with emphysema and pneumonia. It seemed like he either ignored the diagnosis or didn’t fully process what was happening. He refused to completely follow doctor’s orders and lied to staff about getting up and walking. Superheroes aren’t supposed to lie! They’re invincible and their bodies heal quickly.

When did my father become old and sickly? He does good just to eat lunch or dinner. Breathing has become difficult for him. 24 hour oxygen is right around corner. My superhero’s time is running out. No special power will stop the aging process or reverse the lung damage.  My dad is just a man like every other dad, but I will always perceive him as my superhero who saved me from the bad guys who held me captive in their hideout that resembled an apartment bathroom.

~A. Mac