Sorry I’ve been away for a few days. My parents flew down from California Friday morning. We turned around and left for Tasmania the next morning at 6am. Shockingly, nether one of my nearing 60-year old folks experienced jet lag. Anyhow, today we hiked along cradle mountain lake in Tasmania. It’s absolutely beautiful. Funny enough, the scenery out here in one of the worlds most beautiful, remote areas, looks and feels nearly identical to where I grew up in Humboldt County, CA. 
It’s really true that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. As a lot of you know, I’m really quite fond of my Father. I’d say I’m a ‘chip off the ol’ block’ for sure. Back in early 2010, my Dad discovered he had a nasty brain tumor. Long story short, most of 2010 was spent in and out of UCSF. Not sure what ended up being worse out of the two hospital dramas; the tumor removal itself, or the staph infection (MRSA) eating away at my Dads skull after the first surgery. Well, an i.v. pack and helmet were almost put into a style trend that year for my old man, but 5 surgeries later, and one reallllllllly expensive medivac helicopter ride later, he’s doing amazing to say the least. 
I have only spent a fair amount of time with my Dad once, since his last operation. This was back in August of 2011. I was back home in the states to compete in a couple of body building shows. We took a hike into fern canyon one day, since I had never bothered to go. In retrospect, I never noticed my Dad having much difficulty walking through the uneven, rough terrain. This was probably because I was way too occupied thinking about how hungry I was while dieting for my last show. 
Today, while walking the 2.5hr loop around dove creek in cradle mountain, I caught my old man tripping twice. I was amazed at how off his balance was. For a few moments, I had the drastic, cutting realization that my Dad was no longer the spring chicken I’ve known him as throughout my entire life.   I guess after you’ve had your brain tampered with a few times,  you can practically guarantee things won’t be in the exact working order they were in previously. My family laughs because now we can say “ah he’s got a few screws loose”, and actually mean it. My dad has an artificial skull plate in his head, and apparently a few screws have wiggled their way out. 
Anyhow, as I was walking behind my Dad yesterday, arms out like a mummy, I suddenly had a feeling of relief wash over me. I was relived that I wasn’t in his situation.  I was relived I could cruise up and down the slippery rocks around that beautiful lake with no trouble at all. After a few minutes, I realized why 12-step programs work so well. Whenever you seethe newcomer come in, you remember why you are so grateful to be clean and sober. To see how bad off someone else is, and to think, “thanks GOD that ain’t my ass!”, all at the expense of someone else who is going through it, is a special thing!  To look at my Dad and think, “thank GOD I can still walk without feeling like I’ve had a 6pack” is wonderful feeling. Just wish it was someone else who made me feel that grateful feeling. It’s hard seeing your parents age.   I have another two weeks with them here,  and can’t wait to see what else we can get into!