It was a tough morning.  I stared into my mother's eyes as she cried, "I'm sick.  I'm really sick." 

"I know, Mom.  You aren't feeling well.  You are nauseated." 

"I don't understand why I can't get better."

I am at a loss for words.  I held her close and said comforting thoughts that came to mind, "Remember yesterday, you didn't feel well in the morning and then later, you felt much better.  Maybe today is the same thing." 

She said, "What did I do to deserve this?  Did I do something wrong?" 

"No no. Of course not.  You did everything right Mom.  You are a great mother and grandmother.  Everyone loves you.  You are the best."  

"I feel like the worst."

I hugged her tight and said "I love you" and prayed for her to feel better.  "Do you want me to get you anything?  Can you eat some crackers?  Some jello? Some tea?" 

"Maybe some tea." 

I force fed her a few bits of jello and some poached egg.  I fixed tea the way she likes, 5 minutes of brewing, a spoonful of sugar in the raw and some organic milk.  "Just sit it down on the dresser and I'll drink it.  Right now I just want to sleep."

And so I left her.  To sleep.  Which she did.  I went outside and picked spring violets the way I used to when I was little.  Gently plucking each one from the ground with the longest stem possible.  I returned them to her house and put them in the basket vase that her Grandmother gave her.  Just like she used to when I presented her my childhood bouquets.

 I returned this evening to find her better.  She had eaten well the rest of the day.  I soaked her a lavender bubble bath and got her ready for bed.  "You have plenty of other things to do besides take care of me.  I'm sure you are sick of it." 

"I'm not," I assured her.  "I do for you the same that you would do for me if things were reversed.  In case you haven't figured it out yet, Mom, I like being around you." 

She smiled and said, "Good night.  Be careful driving home." 

Maybe it was the tea.  Maybe it was the prayer.  Maybe it was the violets.  Whatever it was I am thankful for it and want to bottle it up to use again in those moments when I feel helpless.

The Orchid Whisperer

My mom has taught me a lot of things, one of them being how to get an orchid to rebloom.  Three simple ice cubes a week and look what happened! 

We have tried to keep orchids alive and blooming for years and finally discovered this trick.

My mom has been feeling pretty bad for a while.  Hopefully the spring weather and blooms aplenty will help her recover more easily.

Calling all Prayers

Asking for prayers for my mom.

Toughest lady east of the Mississippi.

Fight and get better!!

Headin' West

Will and I are taking a road trip. 

We are trekking to Seattle to see dear friends who moved last summer.  We are excited....well, as much as a four year old can comprehend.

Always a bit scary to leave family at home.  Especially as of late because I have been giving care to my mom.  It's not that I think I am indispensable....because I am sure everyone will get along without me just fine.

Looking forward to sipping tea and chatting, walking in rain, seeing the ocean and enjoying good company.

Here we go!!

Happy Birthday Science Style

WILL TURNS FOUR !!!! 

Woo Woo Woo Woo !!!!

In honor of the occasion we hosted a "science" birthday and invited friends over for brunch, cake and ice cream and a little dabble of science. 

The kids circled the kitchen table eagerly awaited.   First came an air pressure experiment placing a peeled hard boiled egg on top of a glass jar. Then you light a piece of newspaper, quickly slip it into the lip of the jar and return the egg to the top.  After the flame goes out the egg wibbles and wobbles and then goes into the jar with a dramatic thump.  "Again! Again!"  We did it again and discussed the science behind it.  The cold air outside the jar has more pressure and pushes the egg into the jar.  The air inside of the jar has less pressure because it is hot.    We even figured out how to get the egg out of the jar with the help of one eager parent.  I never wanted to do that step because I didn't want to get smoke and ashes in my face.  I, apparently, am a lightweight.

Then the kids were awed by the salt water powered car that drove over everyone's fingers in monster truck style.  Will is very into monster trucks these days, due in part to the influence of his dear pal, E.

Then gravity assisted an uncooked egg dropping into a water-filled mason jar and not breaking.  Someone with a fast hand yanks out a small piece of cardboard from beneath a medicine bottle holding the egg on top.  The theory is similar to the magician pulling a tablecloth out from under the place settings.

Will's friend L shared her volcano and exploded it 2-3 times appeasing the "Again! Again!" chants of the crowd.

 

 

At Will's well-visit appointment this week we learned that he grew FOUR inches last year.  Wow!! 

 

I was chatting with Will telling him all the names that go with William....Will....Bill....Billy....Liam...Will-I-Am.  I asked him if he wanted to change his name and go by "Liam" now.  In typical Will fashion he just smiled and said, "I just want to leave it the way that it is." 

 

Happy Birthday Will!    

Fer Sure

It has been a roller coaster of a week.  There has been some time to reflect about things that I know for certain.  Here goes:

1.  I am lucky to have 3 healthy and generally happy boys in my family. For certain they wrestle. For certain they argue. For certain they drive me crazy. For certain they are my whole world.

2.  It feels certain that I get just as many pimples now as I did when I was in Jr. High.  Also, just as embarrassing.  I keep saying when I am in my 80's I will be happy to have such youthful skin.  Not sure.  May invest in concealer.

3.  It is scary and feels out of control when someone you love is sick. 

4.  My mom loves me even though she can only respond "same to you" when I tell her.

5.  I am blessed with wonderful, caring people in my life.  As I laid in bed sick on Thursday I cried on the phone anytime someone called to check on me.  I, for certain, was a mess.  But I am also certain that I appreciated it.

6.  I am certain that some of my favorite words are "We are bringing you dinner."  It was fantastic!  And I LOVED not thinking about what to feed the troops or making it.  Thank you.

7.  I married a "good one".  There have been several moments in my life when I just sparkle with love for my man.  This one is silly but true.  I was driving to the hospital to visit my mom and wanting to listen to some music.  Searched the ipod and my spouse had downloaded a song that I have been enjoying on the radio.  He listens to me AND he takes action.  What a man.  I sang my heart out to Pink like nobody's business.

8.  Two out of three isn't bad.  Our first attempt at our children sleeping over at a friend's house only ended with one coming home early.  Can you guess which one??  He woke up instantly regretting his decision.

9.  It might have been a good idea to get some medical training as I have learned to give my mom shots in the abdomen and now how to learn to give IV antibiotics through a Picc line.  Say wha?  I guess I should have followed my sixth grade dream of becoming a nurse. Maybe then I could do it without closing my eyes. 

10.  I so appreciate having my sister near by to help during these health scare moments.  DCT you know who you are and you rock.

11.  Hospitals overcharge you for simple stuff.  TV was $5.00 a day!  THEN I went to get a bottle of water in the snack shop and it was empty.  Walked to the other side of the hospital and it was $.50 more expensive.  What a racket.  Also parking....$3.00 a day.  C'mon people. 

12.  I am going to be late for church.  Again.  For certain.

Lack of it All

Perhaps my lack of blogging reflects my thoughts about this month.

February.  Gray or grey as the Brits write. 

Blah. 

Lack of sun.

Lack of energy.

Lack of patience.

Lack of time.

Lack of desire to plan and prepare meals.

Lack of enthusiasm to clean another dust speck in the house.

Lacky.

Lacky.

Lacky.