It’s been so upside down, but I’m still holding the family above water. I realize how much care Anna really is as I watch it happen from the couch. I find positives in everything. I’m grateful she is in school. I’m grateful that I can stop managing Paul and let him do his chores and her care.
I always send her on to school on half days. But this week, two early release days turned into her staying home. Paul is struggling to get up at 5 am to get her on the bus. I get up too but he has insomnia. Often he only sleeps a few hours. Usually he would have help sleeping with his home remedies. But he’s not taking them now or he says he’ll never get up at all. These are the things you see when you are able to see the difference in care between two people. I stay out of the way and try not to add anything in suggestions for him, because well, that’s annoying.
He took me to church last night. This is a very holy time, the Lenten time in the Catholic Church. It was a series our church is offering called Wednesday Lenten Speakers. It was a great time of prayer and appreciation. So many great friends at church came over to me to see what the heck the mom of Anna was doing in a large black sling. It was very touching. Some met Paul for the first time, including my priest. Paul is not Catholic, doesn’t enjoy the church setting, but is very supportive and will take me anytime I need. He is faithful but is faithful at home.
I’ve spent my days reading and being grateful. Here’s my grateful list:
I am grateful for:
My faith and time in prayer
That my arm is just healing and not completely gone or amputated (hey this happens)
For friends who sweetly bring homemade soup, hard crusty bread, cookies and flowers
For another friend who brought us three varieties of cake
Another friend and boss who checks on me and will likely likely be compensating me for this time off
Being able to walk, cause it could be a broken leg instead of shoulder issues
Having sweet dogs and cats to surround me
Getting sweet checkins from so many people even those in worse predicaments than me
Sitting on the couch with Anna, then having Paul come get her change her and bring back
Enjoying the birds feeding outside and watching nature
Zoom call with surgeon who tells me “I’m further along than he would expect.”
Having a bed in the basement to sleep uninterrupted and propped up in my sling
A daughter who comes to get me out of the house and treat me to a coffee and estate sale
Son who calls from Germany, and says, “You’ve been through your share of surgeries.”
Cats who purr and sit on my lap
A big fat cozy recliner with lots of streaming with Paul when we are “all caught up.”
Powerful healing foods to get me well
The ability to put on makeup with my left hand (hey I love my makeup)
Hats to avoid doing my hair, no styling now until I can lift my dominant arm
And the fact that I just typed this with my forearm out of my sling.
And the thrill of returning to work on Monday
Life is Good, it is hard, it is flipped upside down right now, but I can see the light. I can see Anna giving me the example to just be a good girl. Warriors have a hard time being good.
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