life after

Returning through Dallas this afternoon, it was all Packers all the time. All the kiosks had switch from "Steelers vs Packers" t-shirts and pins to "Packers win!" trinkets. Most of the talk on the airline from the seat behind me was about the cost of tickets (up to $1000 from the original $150 price by the scalpers) and how they eventually gave up getting their seats and went to a bar. Had a number of very large football type men on board too so coach was a little cramped.

I made it home in time to go visit some friends we normally see on Monday nights, so off I went in my borrowed car since tobo was with a babysitter anyway. I thought we missed the snow but by the time Paul and I were headed home, we had white out conditions. Especially exciting in two vehicles. But we made it back none the worse for wear.

A lot of the trips back to Florida have been to check up on my folks, specifically my mom. My mom had a pretty startling health event at the end of November and is just now recovering from it. She actually was in the hospital and then moved to a rehab place to regain her strength. Part of why I think Paul and I had this nice house drop into our laps is because almost immediately after we moved my mom got sick.

Right now she is doing well. Not 100% but getting stronger every day. She is done with nurses, occupational therapists and physical therapists. She has been released from the rehab place and is home. I've asked her if I can write about it and she's given me permission. That's why it has taken so long for me to mention it publicly.

I feel a bit like we are entering into uncharted territory as we enter life after. Life after nana, life after my mom's retirement, life after her medical event, after. We are all moving forward but for the first time in a long while we are not in the middle of a crisis. We were able to interview with a home help service that they may need in the future during this trip, but they don't need now. We talked about trying to make it easier for them in their condo, but that is very different than the red alert mode we've been living in for the last year. I can only hope that we can do this with our eyes open. I hope we can plan and write out what they want so I can honor that. But really we are all still trying to find our footing so its two steps forward, one step back at times. At least we are making some progress.