Good morning my friends. I really wanted to write about this while it was fresh, but don't think it needs to be way out there, so you all get to listen to me ramble.
Every time Ali Edwards (one of my favorite scrapbook gurus) has a DAY IN THE LIFE challenge, I really do try to do it. And to get all the stories like she does. But, alas, it was a pretty much fail again this time. Although, I am proud of myself for remembering it fairly early in the day and getting a few shots right away of the big event.
November 27th was the day.
Mine did not start the way it usually does. But this project isn't about normal, it's about THIS day.
I got a call from my mom at 6:00 AM. My dad had fallen and could I come give them a hand. Before coffee, almost before clothes, I was headed to mom and dad's house. Shortly after I got there, the EMTs arrived and had put together a plan to get dad in the ambulance without too much pain.
Gratitude (the lense we are seeing through for this DITL) : I am so grateful for the emergency team we had. The kindness and concern they had for my dad's comfort. The respect they had for my mom and her home.
I have no idea what time this was. But, I remembered that it was DITL and I needed to document. We got dad to the ER, I made sure everyone was settled in, and I left when they were taking dad to Xray. I knew I wouldn't be much help there and I needed to get my apartment picked up so it could be shown today. Anyway, my day doesn't start without coffee. It was about 9AM, and this is my first cup. I frequently microwave my coffee every other day. I'm good with that.
OK - maybe it was closer to 10AM. How did we ever live without microwaves? I am grateful for technology, I am grateful for coffee. I am grateful that I take a moment to slow down and have a 'cuppa' to start my day and plan the day.
Apartment cleaned, and I'm ready for work. I'm grateful that I have learned to accept "good enough" and let go of some of the stress I used to create in my life.
Back to the hospital to check on mom and dad. Dad definitely broke his hip. Now we wait for them to get him into surgery. Again, I remembered that it was DITL and had my sister take a picture of my reality.
I am grateful for pain medication. It is so hard to watch dad try to be comfortable while he waits for a surgeon. I am grateful that the nursing staff is so accommodating in listening to dad when he feels like he needs more medication.
Another family waiting room. I am grateful that there is somewhere to wait when dad needs some privacy or when he is having a procedure. We girls can have a discussion about life without filtering too much. I am so grateful to have my mom and sister in my life to listen to me bitch and also share my joys!
Dad ended up having dialysis - a 4 hour procedure before he goes into surgery. I took mom home to rest and pick up a few things and I went home for a couple hours.
I am grateful that mom is getting a chance to rest. I know she is exhausted.
As long as I'm on a roll tonight, I am going to continue to clean up my apartment. The move is going to be stressful enough without having to go through stuff I don't need.
I am grateful for all I have, but I am also grateful for my 'anti-hoarder' moods. I threw away a bunch of things that I don't need and that are no longer relevant. I didn't even look at a lot of them. I am sure I won't miss them.
All the Thanksgiving dishes are done. I finally emptied the last of the leftover dishes and got them washed up. I am getting them back to their own homes today!!
I am grateful that my family has enough food. That we have leftovers and the the means to save them. There are so many families that don't, we are so blessed.
AS I was cleaning, I tore the stove apart and cleaned it. One less thing I will have to worry about when I move. I am grateful that I have the time to take care of this today before I go meet mom at the hospital.
I took the time to contact the last of my CTMH customers and get the orders together for this month. I am way behind on this front, but it is the time of year that I function in behind mode. I'd love to not do this, but atlas I don't let it stress me out like it used to.
I am grateful for CTMH. I love this company, their support of their consultants, and the friendships it has allowed me to make over the years.
About 10:30 and I am driving home from the hospital. Dad didn't have surgery, but he has had dinner (of a sort) and is comfortable for the night. They are planning on surgery in the morning. I am going home knowing that he is comfortable, that mom is headed home to get a good nights sleep without worrying (too much) and that things will progress as they should in the morning.
I am grateful that the weather is good. I am not having to struggle through snow and ice as I travel these late night roads. I am also grateful for the Christmas lights. It is such a cheerful thing to see after such a consuming day.
And, after getting home, I watched a little TV, drank a couple glasses of water, and headed to bed. Not the DITL, hour by hour, that I was hoping to do.
But, today, I am grateful to Ali Edwards for encouraging me to make an effort to record this day. Some of these shots and memories wouldn't have been saved without this project.
happy scrapping Connie
