A story about Pop…and me

August 9, 2024

This isn’t a happy story, but it’s a true story…

When Pop was in his early 20s, he joined the Air Force. One day, the troop was lined up for one reason or another, and the troop captain told Pop and another soldier to change places. They did, and the other man was accidentally shot and killed. Pop was seriously affected by this tragedy and suffered a mental breakdown. He spent some time in a hospital in Montreal where they did “insulin therapy.” In this therapy, which is no longer in use, the doctor gives the patient a shot of insulin, increasing it each day until the patient comes very close to slipping into a coma, and then they follow up with a high-sugar drink. I don’t know if it really worked, but my dad did recover. I can recall going on the train with my Grandma and Poppy Sauvé to visit my dad in the hospital; I was four at the time.

That was a long time ago, and Pop became healthier and stronger and led a very happy and successful life. He was a super husband and a fantastic father.

Coincidentally, when I was in my early 20s, I became depressed (for reasons I will keep to myself), and like Pop, I ended up in the hospital. For three weeks, I had insulin therapy. Again, I really don’t know if the therapy worked or if I just slowly made my way back to “normal.”

Pop came to visit me when I was in the hospital, and that’s when he told me his story. I was always very close to my dad, and his story made me feel even closer to him. Life is funny, with ups and downs, and yet, somehow, we all come out okay. Thank you, God.