Short Days, Long hours

I got a phone call this morning that my dad was in the hospital for DVT (blood clots in his legs).  I know that people die from this and that he was very lucky to have gotten to the hospital in time.  I must say I feel very helpless up here far away.  I know that he will be fine and that this is just another phase of life-parents aging- that we all have to deal with eventually.  But, I must say this has rocked my world.  My dad doesn't get hospitalized.  He doesn't get hurt and he isn't vulnerable.  Not in my world anyway.  I have never been what could be classified as a traditional "daddy's girl".  But he is my dad and I am his girl and I wish I could be there tell him in person that I love him and that I will be there to help. 
When things like this happen, it brings into sharp focus the freedoms I wish I had in my budget, my schedule, my life generally so that I could simply act.  I have been working diligently over the past few years to rid my life of too much stuff all the way around.  We are on the right track but today I am painfully aware of how far I have to go before I can just get on a plane and be there in person. 
I have spent the day trying to keep myself busy and wanting to talk to someone but I don't know what to say.  These situations are hard because my natural inclination is to do something and there is just nothing to do but wait.  So I have busied myself with laundry and I am cooking an uncarved, leftover pumpkin from Halloween and I have no idea why.  I will have more pumpkin puree than anyone needs but it is keeping me busy.  Many of you may be getting something pumpkin and yummy soon.