Heartbroken

I just cannot believe it. One of my childhood friends asked me a while ago about getting another heart surgery. She had had several strokes in the past and wanted to get her problem fixed. I mentioned to her that ANY surgery is risky and to consider that in her plan. She agreed.

She went in for that surgery, and never came out. Her husband and four children, the youngest is Bubba's age (a preteen) are left behind.

She was almost 46 and a half years old. One year and months older than my own mother when she died.

The last time we saw each other was at a funeral for a relative of one of our classmates. We said we'd get together after she had some time to process her own loss. That time will never come.

I hugged Bubba tighter today. And tonight, I pray for all of them.

Hug your kids (and friends) today. You just never know...

Fall is here in RehabLand

The leaves have been turning shades of red and gold here in RehabLand. They aren't at their peak, but they are getting close.

Dahey, Bubba and I had a fun time taking a drive to the country to see my cousins who live in a quaint little town that dates back to the early 1800s. It's a blip in the road, but every year this time, the locals have their fall festival and people come from miles around. The cousins throw a party and invite all the relatives to see their place and go to the festival.

Bubba wasn't sure he liked it, because the corn maze was a longer walk than he expected. Some folks just don't get that, yes, there is indeed a big difference between 1/8 of a mile and 8/10s of a mile. He walked most of the way there, then decided to turn around.

We went back to the village green and signed up for the fun Money in the Hay contest. We missed the pumpkin decorating contest. Since he had a commitment at home, we couldn't stay long enough for him to enter the pumpkin pie eating contest. This was, of course, traumatic, for a preteen boy who can eat you out of house and home when you aren't looking.

Thankfully, he liked the soups and chili the cousins had, as well as the entire dining room full of sweets. He didn't make much money in the contest, but he had fun going out there with all the younger kids.

One of my cousins, an ER physician with three kids, showed up with his family. We talked shop among other things, since I rarely see him (he's always working). He's just hoping he never ever sees ebola at work. Since he practices in a much bigger town than PumpkinLand, but smaller than the regional centers, he hopes he's safe.

As we said our goodbyes, Bubba asked if we were coming back next year. I said "What do you think?"

He said, "Oh, yeah! Let's do it."

I'm so glad it turned out as well as it did.  Hope you enjoy your weekend wherever you are.

Junior high excitement

Bubba is learning the ropes and discovering things I never though he would.

Like how to find your lost ID in the computer lab, how to buy pizza every day for lunch (one of the perks of junior high) and how to negotiate the neighborhood on foot.

Since they get extra points for attending the local high school football games (by sitting with the band-music points), he's learning about those, too.

Fun times in the land of the pre-teen....more later.

Never a dull moment

Bubba likes to tell me he's a "preteen". He's growing up.

So to get ready for the those awkward years, I bought this book, geared to 10-12 year olds.  He was not even remotely interested in it. It's written by folks from the American Medical Association, who have over 2600 other titles there.

Today he decided to take it to school, and it was promptly confiscated, after he showed it to another kid.

I explained that it was not his job to educate his classmate. My job is to educate him, and that was not a choice I would have made.

We shall see how this goes. So far, no note from the teacher or phone call.

The movie in health class is scheduled for March right before spring break.

More later...