Christmas was bitter sweet...

OK so I know it's been forever since I posted but I have an excuse. You see this Christmas was the first time in a very long time (about 12 or so years) that I was going to spend it with my family in Florida. The reservations were made in September, the plans were made that the whole family (minus John) would be there, and we would celebrate in warm country for the first time in too long. We had spent Thanksgiving together (well all but the Nebraska folks, my baby sis, her hubby and two girls) and that was fantastic. So Christmas would be just wonderful right????

Well the night before I was to leave on the plane I received this call from my hubby saying he was at Suburban Hospital ... It's like pulling teeth to get him to talk so he spit it out that they had found his mom on the floor in the kitchen and rushed her to the hospital in an ambulance. They believed it to be a stroke. They had talked to her at 3:30 - 4:00 ish and they found her at 6:00 PM. Thank goodness that my BIL & SIL went to see why she didn't answer. We don't even want to think about that now do we. So John spent the night at the hospital with his brother and SIL waiting on the tests they were doing for mom. She is allergic to most medicines so many of the preventive type things they give others could not be given to her. I was told that I was getting on the plane the next day no matter what. So I climbed under the covers and tried to sleep that night saying many prayers all night long. I think I may have gotten about 2 hours total sleep over all because of the worry.

So when I got up, I called and learned that she was admitted after midnight and had a room in the ICU where they spent the night. I went to work with my truck packed ready to drive to airport and go to Florida under orders. I worked about four hours (yeah right!!!) and then called John for update. The NIH Stoke Team works with the patients at Suburban Hospital and they had evaluated the MRI they did on mom the night before. They would not know more til the swelling went down in a few days but prognosis was not good. So I begrudgingly drove to the airport parking lot, took the shuttle to the airport and checked in my baggage.

Standing in the security line, one of the TSA guys made my day when he said "Hi Gorgeous". I was ready to take him home!!! I know he says that to everyone but it sure made me smile. Then we had a lock down which scared the crap out of me. Some lady was complaining and they locked down the lines for about 10 minutes. We stood wondering what was happening quietly. Then they lifted the lock down and we proceeded through security. I called John again and he was still at hospital telling me nothing.

So after waiting four hours at the airport (I don't believe in being late during Christmas rush) the plane took off for sunny Florida. We arrived in the rain! Ha, even rain in Florida was better than the weather up here. My brother picked me up and after I hugged him I told him about my MIL. So that set the tone for the holidays. But Cec (my MIL) held her own (and is still holding her own today although not as well), and every day after two to three calls each day we would get same update. Nothing new. Until Christmas Day around 4 in the afternoon -- we got our Christmas Miracle. She opened her eyes, knew my hubby (her baby) and his brother too. She responded by shaking her head and blinking her eyes and some squeezing of her right hand. She then went back to sleep. She woke up later when her #1 Grandson came to visit, as she did when her #1 son came in his two girls too. It seemed to be looking up.

So down in Florida even with the bleak outlook in Maryland, the T's clan had a great time visiting, EATING again and again, playing games with the kids, sitting outside enjoying the temps in the 80s and no rain, and relaxing. All the while we were all saying special prayers for Cec too.

So my visit although bitter sweet was a good one. We told stories, watched football, played ladder ball, watched iguanas climb up the seawall out back in the canals, went out in Michael's boat for a spin, drove up the coast, went in the ocean (yes I did too!), and just plain enjoyed each other more than ever as it was well overdue. And although my MIL is still hanging on, she taught me that life is too short and you'd better do what you want and need to do while you have the chance.

When I came home, I went to the hospital and Cec opened her "eye" because now her left eye just doesn't want to open all that much, and I know she knew I was there. I thanked her for holding on for me too. We have been holding vigil at the hospital since it happened and many of her family members have been there every single day. She does not have a good prognosis today and she is paralyzed basically from the neck down, so it is up to her and God as to what happens. We all understand that and will accept whatever happens whenever it happens. She is soon to be released from the hospital and then will go to my BIL's house for hospice care. We will continue visitation there too. So the bitter sweet still continues but there are many memories that we have and I'm learning new ones every day. Her sisters are sharing their memories with me and the stories are so very special. It is sad yes but it always seems to bring families together too. So with this New Year there are many new things to come and many things that will come to an end. But the memories will always be in our hearts. So I leave you with this thought -- don't put off today what you can do tomorrow because tomorrow may never come!!!!

Appreciate what you have and no matter how much you think you are having a bad day, there is always something worse.

Sorry that this is not as silly and crazy as usual but sometimes I have to deal with reality too. I will be spending more time with my family on all sides and my friends. Because with out you all, I am nothing!

Special thanks to Ro as she lifted me up last week too. We've both been a little blue but when we are together we turn purple!!! LOL!!!!

Cya later!!!
KTTTT