Thank You to Family and Friends

I arrived back home last night (Thursday) and went to work today...not being able to face more than one day!!  I'll work Monday thru Wednesday and then drive back to NC on Thanksgiving Day for a long weekend with my mother, before heading back for a longer stint at home/work.  This whole experience has confirmed that my decision to retire is the right thing to do - I definitely couldn't maintain another year of juggling work and the needs of my mother, to say nothing of trying to have a life of my own!!  Having said that, I've gotten nothing but concern and support from friends here, friends afar and family.  Most of you know how much that support means at a time like this, especially those of you who have lived away from family and childhood friends for many years....it really is touching and appreciated more than you know.

In the meantime, my mother is doing well.  She is determined to come back from this and I hope that attitude continues. Before I left NC, she had been on the bicycle and had walked 50 feet with a walker.....I was amazed!  She called me this morning to let me know she was up and well, that I should go to work and not worry about her. But, I have to tell you that when we arrived at the place she is staying, I was totally appalled!  The building is old and my first impressions were not good; however, over the days that I was there, my impressions changed. The staff is very caring and kind, and the therapy is top notch....so, after a few days, I was reassured. If my mother's attitude remains high and she continues to make progress, as she is now, I'll know they are as they seem.

This is a typically Southern story of one of the nurses on  my mother's wing....she's a lovely girl/woman who looks much to young to have an 18 year old son and two other children.  She and her husband recently went to the Bahama's for a big vacation....and she went to have a good time.  Well, she obviously did because she's pregnant!  So, we immediately nicknamed her "Bahama Mama".  When I talked to my mother today, she was with her - she said "hey" to me and I say "hey" to her.....and I know she will look after my mother. 

No sooner had I gotten home than I received a call that my cousin Tommy had died.  It is so difficult to believe in that it has been less than 6 months that he was diagnosed with liver cancer. A week ago I got an email from his sister-in-law saying they would be surprised if he was with us at Thanksgiving - and he won't be.  It is another severed tie with my fondest childhood memories.  He and I spoke about a month ago and I hope he knew how much I cared for him...and how much those times together meant. Before all of this happened with my mother, I'd planned to go over to see him at Thanksgiving, to at least see him one final time.  That wasn't meant to be....

It's late and I'm rambling, but I wanted to thank local family and friends who have given moral support - Larry & Mona, Peggy, Bill & Betty, Dennis & Carol, Laney, Betty, Mary Helen, Joyce, and others.  It has also meant a lot to hear from my longtime friends, far and wide - Ann, Carolyn, Eileen, Jan, Jean & Doug, Paula, Sandra, and others.  I know I'm leaving someone out, but it's my feeble brain, not lack of appreciation.  Thank you so much for your care and concern.