Thanks for the soda! My dad is still sick…

The thought of this blog post came to me while watching a TikTok of some nurse making a new mom, a mommy mocktail. She poured the Sprite in the hospital jug along with Apple Juice and Orange Juice. (Which honestly reminds me of this Breakfast Juice nonsense that was being served at a cafe/bar I went to recently.) Anyways…

I was at that hospital with my parents, many moons ago. My dad was always in and out of the hospital, it seemed like. From his kidney issues/transplant to seizure causing problems. It was quite traumatic, thinking back on it. Probably the main reason why I don’t like going near hospitals. That and especially because one of the last times we (my parents and I) were together was in a hospital…I was the only one that was released (and survived).

One of those times we were there, my dad was lying in the hospital bed. Looking so frail and delicate. Surrounded by wires and the haunting sounds of beeps from the monitors. I was on the other side of the window with my mom. She hugged me, trying to comfort me as I cried into my stuffed animal pig. It was late at night/past visiting hours. I remember it being quiet and practically empty on that floor. 

I didn’t want to leave my dad. I was worried something was gonna happen to him, if I left his side. We stayed there the longest. My eyes were dry because I could no longer produce tears. And my head was killing me from the nonstop crying and sniffling. My mom suggested we go home and get some something to eat…probably because we hadn’t eaten that day. I was so sad, I couldn’t leave my dad.

As we said our goodnights and walked off, we passed the nurses station. The few that were there looked at me, though silent, you could “hear” their “aww’s”. One stopped me as my mom was trying to comfort me, because I was crying even more now. What can I say, I was an emotional kid…still am. In an attempt to cheer me up, she asked if I wanted a soda. I sniffled out a yes. She brought me a small lemon lime Shasta Twist. It was a cute little can. I told her thank you and I dranked it on the way out. It made me a feel a little better because yeah, it was a soda! But, obviously didn’t make my dad feel better…he was still there…alone in his room. Yes, I know she was just trying to comfort me. And I thank her for doing that. I mean look…I still think about it all these years later.

It’s funny how this moment has stuck with me for this long. Every time I see small cans of Sprite, I’m transported to this time of my life. I had to have been at least 10 or so…it could’ve been when he had his transplant, not sure. That’s a whole other story in itself. The random thoughts I have on cold nights like this one.

I hope you enjoyed + hopefully I’ll be writing more blogs soon.

Until next time, 

Zelly :)