A story from Carlos Aguirre about The Longest Trip Home posted 11/11/2008 John, thank you for The Lonest Trip Home. I devoured it the three days. Normally, a book that size would have taken me about two weeks. I relived my growing up years with you coming from a Catholic family, having attended catholic schools all my life. I didn't have an option as you did in high school, but I think that saved me. I wasn't much of anything, but in trouble quite often. The Brothers of St Patrick kept me on the right track, I've got the scars to prove it. I must admit I deserved every ruler, slug, and paddle I received. I grew up in LA, now living in Colorado Springs and one of our five children spent a year in Pontiac in the JVC, volunteering at Lighthouse Community Development on Woodward Ave. I knew exactly where Lake Orchard Road and the hospital your dad died was. This weekend I will make a journey home to help with my parents. My dad has ALS and my mom recently decided to stop further treatment for cirrhosis of the liver. After five weeks in a hospital and nursing home she has decided to come home and spent her last days in the home she has known for the last 49 years with my dad. Your book has given me an avenue to burst out in laughter at the funny and happy menories, and weep openly about knowing what's around the corner. I've learned through a death and dying class I recently took that there is life in the dying process. I've cared for my parents like never before, cried in front of them, discussed the unthinkable openly, not worrying so much about when and how they die. But, how am I going to live today? While living in Colorado, I only hope that I can be there when my mom takes her last breaths, slipping from this world into the next. Thank you for touching my heart with your words. Carlos Aguirre Read More Stories > Begin Sharing Your Story >