I made a quick trip to Seattle yesterday — up and back. Some days it seems like I can’t get two things done then there are days like yesterday when I seem to pack a month of activities into one day.
The trip had been planned for a month. I went up to interview a fellow for my next book. This is the cool part about what I do — I get to visit with the most engaging people. We live in a culture that urges us to Live Life Out Loud. I don’t even know what that means but I find the people who interest me most are those who live their lives in a quiet reverence, serving others. We don’t hear enough about the folks like The Marine, Sister, The Redhead. I’ll tell you more about that interview next week.
But the other thing I did in Seattle was see Mama. Some of you know that she was taken by ambulance to the hospital this week. Apparently, unknown to Mama, her blood pressure, which has never been a problem, started rising over the past year. It was soaring by the time she reached the ER.
Thankfully, Mama is now living with my brother and his wife. They’ve run her around all week to one specialist after another. Overall, Mama is pretty healthy. She went fishing last Saturday and caught a bass that made her pretty proud.
To those of you who knew about Mama and prayed for her, thank you. I know for many of you who read my memoir, especially you Gold Star families and veterans, Mama is a cult hero. She’d never see herself that way. Mama is one of those people who has lived her life in a quiet way. She’s never sought the limelight, never wanted applause for her efforts. A cup of coffee, a garden to tend, a riverbank to fish, a car that goes fast, a good book to read, and an afternoon spent poking around the antique mart. That’s the stuff that makes Mama happy. She likes a slice of good coconut cake from time to time. The last one I made her was from The Cracker Cookbook by Janis Owens. Mama loved that cake.
Anyway, she’s a little tired from the events of the week but she’s doing good. To you veterans and others who’ve sent me notes and called, Mama says to tell you thank you. To everyone else who is able – even if she drives you crazy — give your Mama a call today. Then go do something quiet.
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Karen, I’ am glad your Mama is better. With her children and grandchildren looking
after her, she should feel blessed.
Keep us posted on her progress and I will keep all of you in my prayers.
LDC
Karen, when we were kids arguing over our Saturday chores, we’d swear that Mama had 5 children so “she never have to clean house again!” Much later, when we were taking turns caring for her during the crises of heart problems and hip replacements, we rejoiced that she had a big group of caring loving nurses! How do “only children” manage? Glad your Mama is better – hope she will follow doctor’s orders. You (and she) are in our prayers.
Hey Lillian: How are you fairing? How’s that arm healing? Thinking of you.
Thanks, Ellen. Mama is much better and yes, trust me, I’m thankful to have siblings. Though, I will tell you they were of very little help with those household chores. They certainly shoulder more now than I do. How’s the weather in NC?
I LOVE this picture! Didn’t know your mama was ill, but Y’all are in my prayers all the time anyway. I’ve got a lot of catch up reading to do over here. Been away for about a week with the whole “sending my daughter off to college” thing. Tell your mama I said hello and she’ll always be a hero to me – even thought she has no earthly idea of who I am ~ LOL!