Birthdays

Tonight was a good night.  We gathered at my Mom and Dad's (and sister's of course) to celebrate my hubby's godson and my nephew's 16th birthday. Happy Birthday, Tye!  It was a sweet night.  Dad talked intermittently about the procedure and things that he wanted to tell us.  Lori hogged him for the first part of the night and I hogged him the second part.  By hogging, I mean we doted.  Gently rubbing his back -- something Mom hasn't been able to do for 11 years.   He'd injured his thumb and the bandaid wouldn't stay on; so I wrapped tape around it to keep it in place.  Lori brought him his meds.  My phone rang and I handed it to Dad.  It was my son Derek and the two talked a short while.  I have no idea why but Dad told Derek the story about the largest water moccassin he'd ever seen.... running yoyo's at night and shooting the thing behind the head.... then placing it on the trail from the cabin to the water so the women would shriek when they saw it.  He laughed some and seemed to be enjoying the story telling.  It was a good night indeed.

Except for Lori.  She's worried herself sick and has lost probably 10 pounds in the last weeks.  It would be a blessing for me to be plagued in that way, but she's a tiny thing.  Her blood pressure tonight was nearly stroke level but I didn't tell her that.  I told her to watch the numbers and if it stayed around 140 on top or near 110 on bottom, to call her doc.  I also reviewed with her the signs of stroke.  Poor baby sister, I love you!   Take care of yourself so I'm not as alone on this awful journey.

Kris is the one who bears the most weight.  She's living with Mom and Dad so hears the nagging more than we do.  Step and fetch'em is what we really call it.  Dad's just not as quick to respond as Mom seems to think he should be.  But she's (Mom) is trying to be more patient.  She's frightened of losing him as her husband and as her caregiver.

As we were leaving, Mom was going to bed and dad was finally checking 6 weeks worth of emails. I have a hunch he's still on the computer.  :-)    Tomorrow I'll call about one of the life insurance policies and they'll check on an old annuity.  Busy work sort of.  But things to help settle his mind. We could all use settling of our minds right now.