Change of Plans

Some days do not go exactly how you plan. And that's okay, because when you're a mom that happens all the time. And you learn that days usually don't go exactly as planned which is fine because that is what you sign up for when you become a mom.

Tuesday as I was working on emails and follow-up calls I got a call saying Haley thought she had the flu. She had fever and couldn't hold her body upright for more than a couple of minutes. The school's clinic was booked solid and she couldn't drive herself to a doc in the box. So, juggling the phone calls, packing my bag, calling my neighbor to tell her what was up, talking to my husband about the next few days, making sure that Aaron could get Rinn to work and pick up Callie since I was taking the van, saying that Micah could come over after work as long as there were others at home with them, and generally covering everything else I could think of, I headed to Waco.

I did have to explain to one pastor that I wasn't breathing hard because of him, but that I was simply out of breath from running around the house. I'm really out of shape.

The drive was wonderful. No sound. Just thoughts bouncing around in my head. There is a lot of room for bouncing in there. I had grabbed necessary items at QT: Coke Zero, Snickers Marathon, and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.

After wiping down everything in her car I took her to a clinic about the size of a phone booth where we had to wait awhile, but were very well cared for, got her medicine, put her to bed, and went to the "ghetto" H.E.B. I don't call it "ghetto", Haley does. When I went to Baylor, it was just the H.E.B. On the grocery list was all the ingredients for my chicken noodle soup and a big can of Lysol.

Haley had a rough night with coughing and my breathing machine was on the blink, so neither of us slept well. We didn't climb out of bed until almost noon. I was able to work from Haley's laptop - after I wiped it down, and got some good phone calls made. Then I trekked across campus to deliver a paper to the science building. I fit right in with my Toms, blue jeans, black T, jean jacket and straight as a bone hair. My big dark sunglasses covered the wrinkles and bags around my eyes. Yep, I looked 20...in my dreams!

We've also watched 8 billion episodes of Friends and Big Bang Theory, and the musical, Mamma Mia! Pierce Brosnan needs to avoid singing in public or on film, just as I do.

I think Haley will be mended enough for me to head home tomorrow, if she sleeps well. I've stocked her with Nyquil, new toothbrushes, and tissues. Her temperature seems to be staying down.

Now, back to another episode of Big Bang.

And thank you, Melinda and Micah, for helping out our family during this flu crisis.

The Oregon Trail

My wonderful neighbors have moved to Portland. Now, they didn't take a covered wagon, but their journey has been rough and painful. We moved in almost four years ago across the street from Al and Feta. Feta was in good shape and loved to work in their yard. I noticed something was a little off when she asked me after we had been their for three months if we had moved in yet. We had four busy children at that time and they have a lot of busy friends, so I thought it was strange that she didn't realize we were moved in. She stopped working in the yard and began looking very fragile. One day while out walking with her sister we met in the little park next to our homes. She asked me if I had any children. I knew at that point what was going on. Feta was traveling the rutty, hard, dusty, stormy road of Alzheimer's. We had to make sure that the children knew so they could help if she ever wondered off or seemed very confused. Al takes such beautiful care of her. And he still took beautiful care of the others in the cul-de-sac. Al is still extremely spry for being a man who fought in World War II for the Scandinavian Special Forces. He was at the Battle of the Bulge. Al always had a big hug for me and a kiss on the cheek. He gave my youngest son his old, beautiful drafting table, light, and boxes and boxes of markers, pastels, etc... He sent off to National Geographic for a beach ball globe for our Callie. She was thrilled. He would help with everyone's trashcans and gave me his coupons.

Al realized that he was at an age that something could happen to him and Feta might not remember how to get help. He knew it was time to move to a safer place for both of them. So, after living in the same home since 1973, Al and his daughter cleaned out and prepared for Portland. The last few days were so confusing for Feta. Why were they packing and getting rid of things, why were they staying with friends? They didn't bring her back to the house after the moving truck was loaded. It would have been too much. I can't imagine living in the same house thirty-four years and the next day be in a completely different environment. From warm to cold, from familiar to everything strange. My heart breaks for her and the confusion she must be trying to sort out right now. My heart breaks for Al as he helps her deal with it, watches her fade, and misses his home. My heart breaks for Chrystal as she gets them settled in and watches her mother fade.