Sara Plays House

One does not realize exactly how important one’s Support System is until one needs it in the worst way.  This is too bad.  A Support System should be, well, supported at all times.  But I digress.

Mike’s mom is really sick.  Like, ICU sick.  She’s been there since the 18th of November, and we’re not expecting her to leave any time in the very near future.  We’re still a wee bit uncertain exactly what is going on.  She has a chest tube that just will not stop draining.  That’s the first issue.  She’s tired, she’s weak, she’s confused as to why she has to stay in that stupid hospital for so long.  They’ve been running lots of tests, but nothing is conclusive just yet.  So we’re left to worry and wonder.

Did I mention that said hospital is approximately 120 miles away?

So the last few weeks have been difficult.  Trying to manage a loved one’s care from far away is not an easy thing to do.  Mike has gone down there solo, I’ve gone down there solo.  We took the whole family down on Thanksgiving, and then Mike and I made a separate trip yesterday to take care of things.  Bills, cats, etc. that my mother in law just can’t manage by herself right now.

This is where the Support System comes in.  My Granny and her husband Dave hosted Mike and I on our solo trips.  By giving us a bed to sleep in, food to eat, etc. they reminded us that someone was there to take care of US while we were taking care of her.  That is an incredible, wonderful, comforting thing.  To know that we have a home in our former hometown is a little thing that makes this whole big mess that much more bearable.  So thank you, Granny and Dave.  Your hospitality is so very appreciated.  I promise that the next time we’re there, I’ll bring the children along to entertain you.

Yesterday Mike and I went down there by ourselves.  We couldn’t have done this without my sister and brother in law.  They returned home from a trip to Winston-Salem only to have my little girls descend upon their house the very next morning.  Kelly and Shannon took them in with the open arms that only an Aunt and Uncle possess and my girls barely noticed their parents were gone all day.  When our trip ran longer than expected, my sister didn’t complain once.  When we rolled into her driveway at 10pm instead of the planned 8pm(Thanks, Turkey Day traffic!), she greeted us with a smile and listened as we told her about our crazy day.  They fed my babies, they played with my babies, and most importantly–I knew that they were in the best hands possible while we were gone.  And a big thank you to my nephews for playing and reading with their baby cousins.  They really are special little guys.

There’s the Support that comes long-distance.  My parents are there to give us counsel, encouraging words, and love from 300 miles away.  And to send some cornbread dressing and vegetable soup.  I think that last bit is probably the most important.  Because MMMMMM dressing.  I had some for breakfast.  It’s just like being home.

No doubt, this is a difficult situation for my little family right now.  But it’s made just a little less difficult knowing that we have people we can count on to help us out.  Like a good set of Spanx, they are there to hold in all the little bulges and creases to smooth things out for us.  Even if it’s just a small thing.  But those really are the very biggest things, aren’t they?