Okay, so. I am my Mother(s) daughter in that I like to plan. I say Mother(s) because both my Mom and my Mimi (stepmom) are organized planners. I find planning to be a balm. Lists soothe my soul.
So when a crisis situation arises, I like to make plans A-D immediately. That way, I have something to pull out of my bag of tricks instead of flolundering around trying to get my/our shit together.
Last week, there was no plan and that scared the ever loving shit out of me.
My Mother-in-Law has been ill. She, much like her son, rules in the understatement department. She told us she’d “Not been feeling well”, “Didn’t have much of an appetite”, and “Had lost some weight”. Then, last week, there were TESTS. She had to be admitted to the hospital and given a blood transfusion along with some IV nutrients.
After the scans came back, there was no plan. TWH left work in a panic and drove the 5 hours to his parents. I stayed behind and worried. I made phone calls. I tried to cover all the bases that I could but I didn’t have a PLAN.
Because how do you plan for this shit?? How do you plan for the potential of your life never being the same again??
You don’t. You hang on by your fingernails and do what you can, when & where you can. You cry in restaurants. You ask your friends for prayers. You pray for this life that is so dear to you and yours. You worry. Lastly, you hope.
Because hope is all you have and all you can give. Hope IS the Plan.
And that Plan has to be enough.
Now, my Mother-in-Law is currently home resting. She is having a small procedure this week and we will be travelling back north for a larger surgery next Wednesday. I’m planning on taking my running shoes for stress, a power strip for the hospital waiting room, and a shitload of Hope.
And quarters. Those vending machines are some finicky bitches and we’re gonna need us some junk food.
Think about us next Wednesday if you get a minute. Pray, send good vibes, whatever works for you. I’ll add them to my Hope and be ever so grateful.
UPDATE: After the Surgeons Office called Monday to set the surgery for next Wednesday, the SURGEON called YESTERDAY to set the surgery for FRIDAY. As in the-day-after-tomorrow so we are going north tomorrow. We obviously have a communication breakdown. Ugh. This does not inspire confidence y’all. Be thinking about us, please.
Travel incognito. None of this cute FMPs, no cute sparkly outfits. Think comfy! Yoga pants or the likes, comfy shoes, some tunes on an iPod or whatever. And ALL the love from all your sisters and brothers from Fondren, or who have ever heard of Fondren. You ROCK sister-girl. I AM buying you an adult beverage March whatever. That Thursday. Count on it!!! Oh, my prayers are a given. You know I love Jesus but sometimes I drink a little. Love you! Mean it!
Kay
I will be packing the comfy, warm clothes. I always freeze in hospitals.
Can’t wait to have a drink or two with you in March. Love You Back!! Mean it!!
I plan to keep y’all in my prayers.
The best line from a movie ever in “Oh God”.
George Burns says to John Denver,”When nothing seems normal, do something normal.”
Be good to you. Rest, eat real food (not that gachh in vending machines), call me if I can help.
xxoo
JulieU
SO many good vibes. I am a planner, too. These are the things that try my soul – how do you prepare for a moment where you have no idea what the possibilities will be? Big hugs, lady. Big big.
Thanks Lady!! <3
Prayers are being lifted, good juju being generated and I am here if you need to rant, vent, laugh, or cry. And you now have a plan. Plan on her speedy recovery. Plan on laughing and joking. Plan on being hungry ( and plan on ways of remedying that ). Plan on being stressed and how to deal with it. Plan on making time to be with TWH and TB and LISTEN.
Then when that makes you want to climb a tower with a gun, read some Jenny Larsen and HRH Jill and get a different perspective.
Just know and KNOW that I love you! See you soonest !
Scott, I’m planning on doing all those things. Love you too!!
So very sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. Of course, I will be sending you positive thoughts and wishes. Also, you must take care of you, so you can take care of your husband and family.
Those snazzy shoes are going to come in handy and just maybe be a lucky charm.
Thanks!! I may just have to bring along my snazzy shoes.