Dear Mom. Everyone says to me, "don’t wear yourself out; take care of yourself," and I think of you, making your way through 2 1/2 years taking care of Jack after his stroke and hospitalization, after your own breast cancer surgery, on the awful Tamoxifin drug, tired, and sad. And I can only answer, "Thank you Mom for teaching me Love." I did not understand when you were buying pre-mashed potatoes, and now I often eat "only cereal." I didn’t understand how Jack just sat and waited for you to come, not interested in television and books as he used to be, only waiting for you, until I saw Chuck waiting for me. I’m blessed to be out of the hospital, and I am blessed that he waits for me to come. God bless you Mom; you are one of God’s angels, and you have taught me to Love.
Our leisurely day began today with 8AM Mass where I read as a lector from the book of Isaiah, a mile walk with Chuck, a shower and shave given to Chuck by his geisha Susie, a visit from Mike and Lois as Chuck ate steak, potatoes, and eggs. A nap for Chuck to get him well rested up for a 4:30 PT session. Then the phone rang. Chuck is scheduled for a CT scan that the neuro surgeon needs for Chuck’s 11:30 Wednesday appointment. "OK", I said, "where?" When I mapquested the directions I knew we were in a ballgame. Travel north on the Palmetto Expressway about a million miles into Hialeah where all the street numbers mean nothing (like Coral Gables). The Palmetto has been under construction by a drunken rabble of men who didn’t pass 2nd grade. Many people fall into the Palmetto and are never seen again. With mapquest directions clutched in hand, I woke the sleeping Chuck, and we hurtled North into hell. Actually found the place and didn’t get killed doing it. After the CT scan, fortified with a chocolate shake, we headed south to Kendall drive for PT. Sat in a freezing waiting room (note to self, bring coats next time) counting my blessings that the PT location, 107 Ave and Kendall, is a straight shot home. Chuck went off into the bowells of the place with Edgar who came out all proud of where Chuck is and fired up about getting Chuck better, "walking a mile! keep it up!" This is going to be good for both of us. I haven’t walked a mile in years. If you come to visit bring sneakers. God bless us, everyone. Love Susie