Today, last year, was an exciting day:
87 beats: procedure day happens tomorrow ... Wednesday
Things were looking promising. Bob’s heart had stabilized enough to go forward with the scheduled surgery.
My frosty morning view from Bob’s ICU/ER room. I took a quick look before heading to the main lobby while Bob was ferried to exams.
Bob’s Team was bustling about, getting him ready: while he was whisked away for more exams, I met his son Alex, in the main lobby and was hustled back home across the river for a few hours; to touch base with Bill Collectors, do a load of laundry, and take a quick shower. Alex visited with Bob’s sister Merry.
After bills were paid, shower taken and duffel repacked with clothing & knitting project/restocked with juices & snacks (I grabbed our laptops this trip too); I watered my Christmas Cactus's …
My white Christmas Cactus was in bloom; a nice welcome home.
My Pink Christmas Cactus did not bloom until after Christmas.
… and flushed the fish: they had died from hunger because I had not been home – I felt a little guilty about the fish; but honestly, those fish were the last thing on my mind: Bob as the only thing on my mind today, last year. Then I locked the house up and parked our car in Merry’s driveway, and hopped into Alex’s car. Before Suppertime, I was back at OHSU.
264 hours.
That’s the timeframe it took for any further promises this side of Heaven to expire; this time, last year.
There would be no more promises kept.
There would be no more promises kept.
Today, this year, I was up at 3 AM this morning, and crying my heart out by 7:30 AM. The lonelies hit big time: I was missing my grandchildren; when Alex & Stacey are being spiteful and hateful, the grandkids are also absent.
And all of me was missing Bob.
I was saved from total despair by Cheryl and Pam – we spent the entire day together: hours spent talking on the phone; then decided to get together at Cheryl’s house because we all felt the need to share more of us with each other ;-)
I love those 2 :-D
Cheryl and Pam, moved here to WA State shortly before my family moved here to WA State – I’ve been here 53 years, and I’m thinking they have both been here maybe 55 years. I am a Yankee, born and bred; and they are both Georgia Peaches … all southern charm. We balance each other out.
Bob’s family hailed from the South too; his great-grandfather, James Smalley, switched sides during the war, becoming a Union Soldier, and eventually moving West & settling in Eden Valley following the Civil War. I loved my southern man; my gentle giant who was a true gentleman with a humble disposition.
Bob's great-great-grandfather - on his mother's side.
Bob's great-grandfather - his mother's grandfather.
Bob's Grandpa Henry Smalley, on the left - his mother's father. I loved Bob's grandpa Henry & Grandma Myrtle: they were good people ... and good to me; Grandma welcomed me immediately into the family, even before we married.
Our placement in the family cemetery, started by his great-great-grandfather.
All my life I have been surrounded by southern comfort :-D
Bob liked Southern Gospel & Charlie Daniels.
Spending time with Cheryl & Pam today, made the flashbacks of today, last year SO much easier to bear today, this year.
I am healing.
Their love & support has been a tremendous help in the healing process.
And my Christmas Cactus's are thriving too: they will BOTH be in bloom together, this year ;-)
White Christmas Cactus (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/11/switching-floral-arrangements-out.html)
Pink Christmas Cactus (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/11/holiday-anticipation-in-full-swing.html)
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