Thanks for sharing that, Blueberrybook! I hope your therapy goes well, too.

Well, my elderly dad actually did show up to visit me this morning. I thought he'd forget or cancel. I think he dreads seeing me nowadays, because I've been the one to express the strongest concern for him.

Five minutes into his visit he said he wanted to go out for lunch. That surprised me since I thought he'd stay two hours max and rush home. He, of course, wanted to go to the tavern nearby. I said I only would if he only ordered one beer and nothing else. He nervously agreed.

Eventually he admitted that he is planning to go to a psychoanalyst. I told him I was happy to hear that and encouraged him to tell them a few things he'd not have, in the past. I said a few other things about that, but tried not to lecture him. I reminded him that he rarely sees me or my siblings, and that we are the three people that truly do love him in this world. We are the only ones that would be true dedicated supporters. Not his bar buddies. Not his cafe cronies.

He was shaking very noticeably. I asked him if it was anxiety being with me, alcohol withdrawal shakes, or both. He said probably both. I then tried to turn the conversation to lighter things, like nature. It turned out to be only a 45 minute visit before he stated he was heading home, skipping the lunch idea. I offered that I'd even drive him home. He refused.

My dad was walking very clumsily towards the front door, and probably realizing I noticed, said with a nervous chuckle that he was walking like my maternal grandfather used to. I warned him of the steps out and watched him get to his car. I watched where he couldn't see me. It was several minutes before his car left my driveway. I hope he was just adjusting or maybe calming himself, perhaps putting on the radio, and/or putting some snuff under his lip. I fear he was gulping down some vodka. My bro says he sits in his car doing that regularly for many minutes even before entering his own house, where my bro also lives.

After dad left, I called my hubby telling him the story. I said I feared he went straight to the tavern. Hubby told me to drive there and check. I did. Luckily he wasn't there.