She Prayed For Courage And Strength

 She had been on the road for hours on her way to the hospital in Sioux City. She couldn't believe the way her life had taken such a tremendous turn in just an hour. First a call from her sister-in-law with news that her brother had had a major heart attack half a country away. Then within minutes her mother's neighbor called telling her that her eighty-five year old mother was in the hospital . She had gone out to get the mail and slipped on the ice. She thought her world had ended until she took a deep breath and decided she was all her mother had at this particular time. Her brother had his daughter and wife flying to California to be with him. At this point all she could do is pray for strength and courage to help her poor mom. Then she looked in the rear view mirror and said to herself, "What next?"

After she gave the officer her license and proof of insurance and assured him that she would follow the speed limit, she once again was on her way. She had no clue what she would find. She had not worked at the new nursing home for very long. For that matter she hadn't lived in Missouri for very long, but here she was with a ticket in her pocket book, a nursing administrator having faith that she would return in a reasonable length of time and two hours to drive before she got to the hospital. The exact same hospital that her dear sister had been  a charge nurse in for more than thirty years. "Oh, Rosie, how I wish you were still here. I miss you so. Can I do this?" Then she grinned and uttered a soft chuckle. "Ok, Sis, I get it. I'll straighten up and fly right like Mom used to say and get whatever needs to be done done."

By the time she got to the hospital it was late, but the nursing staff was very nice and told her that her mother had broken her pelvis. There was nothing to be done, but keep her mom comfortable. She would not be able to put weight on it for several weeks if not months due to her age. They were going to keep her for at least three days and nights. She peeked in at her sleeping mother and whispered, "Oh how I love you Mom. But I have a plan. You are coming home with me."

On the trip across the bridge to Nebraska where her mother's home was she thought, "You can't take your mother home with you. You need to work. Work, of course, "I'll see if there is a room for mom at the nursing home where I work. That will be perfect. I can visit with her and make sure she is well taken care of." With that settled in her mind she pulled up along side her mom's mobile home where she had lived for thirty years.

She turned the key in the lock and knew right where the light switches were. She looked to her right and there on the small wall by the door were all the grandchildren's measurements that her dad had marked since they were old enough to stand. Oh the memories. Everything looked like mom, smelled like a mixture of mom's perfume and her baking. Pictures of family members, some of her children and grandchildren were arranged on the shelf just as she remembered them. The people were all smiling like all was right with the world.  Only it wasn't.

"I can't deal with anymore tonight. I need a good night's rest. Tomorrow will be a better day. Another of her mom's sayings." She sighed and made her way to her mom's bedroom. Oh it was so empty and still. Then the phone rang. It was her husband. She told him about her idea. He was good with it. Then she called her sister-in-law. Her brother was stable, but in critical condition. He was in the ICU and being carefully watched. She smiled and said, "Okay, Lord. I think, no; I know You are in charge here. I need your help and so does my family. And by the way, the traffic ticket was a nice touch. You really know how to slow me down. Thank you for my blessings, Lord. Good night."

But, of course, sleep was slow to come. Her mind was racing trying to remember what her mother had told her to do if something happened to her. Then she remembered her mom's important papers were in the freezer! She immediately jumped out of bed and ran into the spare room. There was a large manila envelope with everything she needed; power of attorney, her living will and her regular will complete with a gift list to her children included and lo and behold a nursing home insurance policy. Her safety deposit key and C.D. papers were in there as well. "My mother, the organized one of the family. Thank you so much."

"Okay, girl, get some sleep. The rest will wait until tomorrow." She snuggled up to her mom's pillow, she had put what her mother called, "Lu's blanket" over the spread, and then the Grandmother clock on the fireplace mantel started to chime; every quarter hour. Out of bed she went with a mission in mind. The clock had to go. She carried it out to the kitchen and covered it with towels. Ahh, hopefully she could sleep at last.