Thanks for the T&P: An update from Pasadena
Hi, Chaos Crew…
I can’t thank you enough for all the messages and well-wishing. It has really boosted my spirits over the last week. There have been some long days and logging in and knowing that there are so many extra prayers, thoughts and good vibes out there on behalf of my mother is very energizing. Thank you all.
My mother is now at my sister Liz’s place in Santa Monica. I won’t kid you, she’s very sick. But with the help of her doctors and my sister Monica, a nurse, she’s hanging in there. This week, Sheila is the primary caregiver with Liz as back-up. There will also be additional home nursing care. My sister Monica headed back to Portland, but we’ll get another RN in. Hopefully, my mother’s strength and appetite will improve. In the meantime, I can report that my mother’s spirit is in tact. Yesterday, she looked over at my sister’s dining room table and said, “Elizabeth, straighten those candlesticks.” Way to go, Edna.
On the of the strangest aspect of having a full-scale medical emergency is that life goes on here in Pasadena. For those of you who’ve been through something life this, I know you understand that sensation of being removed from the real world by medical issues but forced to connect with the real world because that’s the way it goes. My friend Patty described the feeling as “fogginess.” It’s tempting to pour out the whole story when someone asks, ‘How’s it going?” I’m trying to compartmentalize as best as I can to care for the kids, nag my son about college applications, write my book and hold it all together. Some days, it’s tougher than other not to focus on what’s happening to my mother, even if I’m not in Santa Monica. I’m grateful to have a terrific support system here in Pasadena, great Satellite Sisters like my friend Dana who dropped off a delicious meatloaf and pasta salad at just the right time. It’s hard to put into words how meaningful gestures like that can be.
This week, I’m on stand-by for duty in Santa Monica, so I’ll be carrying on here with a new show, more College Bound Chronicles and writing. Thanks for your patience, support, T&P and meatloaf.
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
