Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2006. Mattie was four years old. That Christmas we took Mattie to Boston for him to spend time with his paternal grandparents. Though it was cold out, my former mother-in-law knew Mattie needed to go outside and move! So literally they were playing in the sandbox in December! I am posting this photo today because it is my former mother-in-law's birthday. I have been in her life since I was 19 years old and spent a great deal of time at her house over the last 30+ years. Though legally I am no longer her daughter-in-law, we share a bond that can't be broken, and we most definitely are committed to Mattie's memory and legacy.
Quote of the day: I love you past the moon and miss you beyond the stars. ~ J.M. Storm
Over the course of the last two weeks, my mom has been exhausted and dealing with cold like symptoms. Certainly running back and forth to the hospital for my dad did not help her situation. But she is not improving. This morning, I swabbed her nose for the Flu and Covid, and she is negative. However, I contacted her doctor because I felt she needs antibiotics, given her extensive lung condition. He agreed, especially as the holidays are coming up, we want to stabilize her situation.
So after getting my dad showered, dressed, and downstairs, I gave him a hair cut and then had him relax in his recliner. I then ran out to the pharmacy and back to the grocery store. Running chores requires me to think through logistics, because I can't leave my dad for long as my mom truly can't care for him.
Later in the afternoon, I took them out to brunch, at the restaurant we venture to every Sunday. It was our first time back there in two weeks. Of course no meal is ever complete, without contending with my dad's irritable bowel syndrome. All I know is my parents are lucky I have a strong constitution, because after cleaning him up, most people would be sick to their stomachs. While in the bathroom, I could hear two women talking to each other. Each one was complaining about wrapping Christmas gifts and other (what I deem as) more normal tasks and chores. As I was listening, while cleaning my dad in one of the stalls, I wanted to scream out and say.... really, you have NO IDEA how lucky you are to have parties to go to, the money to wrap and exchange presents, and if I could trade childhood cancer, seeing my parents decline, and my divorce with you, I would do it in a heart beat.
When I got home, it was back to back chores..... packages of supplies delivered, laundry needed to be folded, dishes put away from the dishwasher, and also this week, I have been treating my mom's feet with Epsom Salts, as she has intense pain in her toes. This happens every Winter, because of odd gait (walking with toes in the air), her toes rub against her closed toed shoes and it generates pain. She does a lot better in the summer wearing sandals.
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