The Next Step

Thank you for all of your sweet comments, your prayers and support for my dear, little mother and for me.  The last days have seemed like a blur in many ways but we have moved to the next step.  My dear mother stayed in the hospital for two days before she was transferred to a rehabilitation center in our home town.  She is just across town from our home and it is much more convenient than going to the hospital in the next town.  She is making progress very slowly. The transition from hospital to residential rehab care has not been without adjustments but I believe we are more settled in as each day passes.  I was amazed a couple of days ago to watch her walk a small distance using the parallel bars in the physical therapy gym.  Of course, she needs assistance and it is very slow and still quite painful.  She is from ‘pioneer stock’ and she has always been determined to do what she needs to do.  She’s a strong lady and the rehab staff believes she is doing well.  We don’t know what the future holds when she is ready to leave rehab – but we don’t need to know right now.

One thing that has become very real to me through this past week is the importance of every moment with those who are dear to us.  I treasure each time I can sit beside her and visit – or listen to her concerns – or laugh a bit when she shares something funny.  I’m not taking anything for granted these days.  Time is short when we look at the big picture of our days.  My heart is easily touched with things I may have passed by a few short days ago.

My mother still has her sense of humor.  When I arrived in her room this morning she couldn’t wait to tell me of a visitor she had last night.  Santa came to visit!  He leaned down next to her face and his elf took a picture of the two of them together!  Then he gave her a stocking filled with gifts.  She tried not to laugh too hard when she told me that he gave her a man’s stocking!  Her stocking was filled with sugar-free candy mints (which she likes), large man’s boot socks and an activity book that wouldn’t even challenge my six-year-old grandson!  When I held up the boot socks we decided she could probably put both of her tiny, size four feet into one sock!

My dear mother is getting good care.  The future is uncertain but we will do what we’ve been doing – we will continue to take one day at a time.  And we will delight in every moment we have.