Mother's day visit to Vancouver, BC

 

I have had the prompting for months that I should perhaps spend more time with my mom. I had sent the invitation as to where she wanted to go, perhaps on a cruise to San Francisco, come to NC, wherever and whenever. Then I heard that she was in ER and was hospitalized for a few days. I thought, well, perhaps this was how I should be spending time with her. 

I flew to Vancouver for over a week visit. My heart ache to see mother so ill. I can feel her frustration for being so sick and weak when her mind is so active and wants to do more. She had a high blood pressure that needed to be control. I figured it is all the stress that my other siblings are giving her for all their never ending sibling rivalry. 

She was practically bed ridden as she felt dizzy halff of the time. I had to help her in the shower, help her get undress and re dressed. I had to hide my tears while I assisted her in the shower. As I sniffled, she ask if I had a cold and I simply said, "Yes I have a cold, i must have caught it on the plane." But my tears were flowing and racing down my cheeks. Between the steam in the shower and my tears, i could hardly see anything. I looked away so she would not notice. I was not used to this scene. I always picture mother as a strong and active woman, but now she's aging, my heart aches. It's more hard and drastic because I don't see her daily like my other siblings do. Every time I get a chance to see her year after year, she seems aging faster and faster than my mind can conceive or recollect. 

I am so glad I got the chance to visit. I was able to give your massage day in and day out and sometimes in the middle of the night when she awoke couging. We went on slow walks, taking an hour to cover 10 blocks. I was not used to it. I am used to seeing and imagining my mother walking fast as she always did. 

Life, so short. We grow, we age.  Time passes as it were a dream before our very eyes. It's imporant to always revisit what matters most and then do it. We will all get there, grow old. I have always honored my mother, always showed my love, never tried to give her any pain or sorrow but always trying to lift her spirit and help. I wish my siblings were more assertive and sensible. I am glad I got to visit with her. It was much needed. I hope to see her more often than every 4 years. I might see her once a year. I have also now started giving her allowance on a monthly basis, just a token of my gratitude and cheering her up.  I am grateful for my mother with all my heart. What a woman, what a daughter of Christ.