We’ve been on a roller coaster leading up to Christmas. I received a call on Tuesday evening, a week
before Christmas, saying Mom had fallen again but seemed to be doing fine. The next day, as we were enjoying the birth
of our sixth grandchild earlier than planned, I received another call that Mom
was complaining of pain. The nurse had
checked her out and Mom had a red spot on her knee but was able to move
everything with just a wince here and there.
The nurse and I opted for a wait and see approach because so far Mom’s x-rays
have always come back negative for breaks.
Just as we were getting to our daughter’s room to see our
new granddaughter, we learned my father-in-law had been admitted to the same
hospital on the same day for what they initially thought was gall bladder.
The next few days were busy with my husband and me going
different directions. Me to the hospital
for our youngest daughter and her first child or heading home to be with our
five year old Hurricane in the afternoons after kindergarten and my husband to
work and the hospital to be with his dad or taking care of his mom. Add in some other activities with our older
grandchildren – a choir concert, some other running – and you get a feel for
the days. There wasn’t a way to add in a
visit to Mom so I am very thankful my sister stepped and kept an eye on Mom for
me.
All the while that was happening we were also getting ready
for Christmas with our children and grandchildren on the Saturday before
Christmas. Santa comes early to our home
so that our children can visit the other side of their families on Christmas. I had a rough patch when it looked like our
son would have to work but he rescheduled and our gathering went well although
we missed our youngest because she was home recovering from the C-section.
The hospital was no longer in play after my father-in-law’s
issue was identified and treated and he was able to return home on Sunday so I
was finally able to get up to see Mom again.
She was moving fine with no complaints. They were again trying to keep her in her
wheelchair but she was not happy about it.
Evidently they were telling her that her daughter (this time referring
to my sister) wanted her in it. I had to
keep from laughing when Mom said in a disgruntled manner, “You tell your sister…” The rest wasn’t decipherable but I’m betting
it had to do with the wheelchair. J
Christmas Eve came and another chink was taken out of my armor
when I received a call from my second daughter.
She had a seizure just as her family was getting ready to celebrate. She managed to get a couple pictures of the
tree before but missed watching her sons open their presents. We’ve dealt with this most of her life but it
doesn’t keep me from wishing I could fix it for her…
Christmas morning was bright and sunny and really cold. My husband and I went to visit Mom prior to
the usual festivities at my brother’s house where most of Mom’s children,
grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren meet for lunch. We had planned to take Mom again this year
but it was so cold. As it was nearing
time to go, I asked Melissa, Mom’s aide, her opinion. She agreed that Mom didn’t need to go out in
the cold and assured me Mom wouldn’t notice.
Another chink in my armor occurred as I made the final decision to leave
Mom in the warmth of her home. For the
first time since Mom and Daddy were married, Mom was not at Christmas.
