We all know the phrase "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". For the person that makes great lemonade we say "she is a tough cookie". As 2012 is drawing to a close, I have to say that my family has had enough lemonade and cookies - come on 2013!
Our year started out great. We were finishing up our expat assignment in Dubai. The family had made a list of the things we had to see and do before we moved back home. We didn't miss a beat! We shopped, we traveled, and we had checked all of the boxes. Kevin was graduating from our wonderful American School of Dubai and his final year had been so much fun! There were a flurry of activities and a great group of "senior moms" who were on a mission to make this final year the BEST EVER! I still smile when I think about it.
We headed back to the States at the end of June. About the time we were packing up the house, I became aware that my mom was having some health issues. My sister kept me informed daily as to the happenings back at home, but by the time I landed on June 20th, it became apparent I was needed at mom's place in Florida. I headed out five days later. This seems to be when things turned sour.
Over the next few weeks my sister and I took my mom to many doctor visits and decided (told) she needed to live near one of us. My mom was diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease. If you have not heard of it, go ahead and google! It is the 2nd most common form of a dementia illness, just behind Alzheimers. After living in Florida for 34 years, it was decided mom would become a Texan. I returned back to Texas and started looking for an assisted living facility for mom. I found a wonderful place. It was so much more like an apartment complex than a "facility" that mom should truly be happy there. The story of the actual move is quite long and detailed, but in summary, she came, she saw, she conquered! She handled the move with true grace and strength. Toughest cookie around!
Within the next month, my brother-in-law had a stroke and Kevin had a bike accident at school. In October Sarah was diagnosed with epilepsy and my nephew required major surgery on his shoulder. All of this was happening while we were working on settling back into our house and trying to turn it into the loved home it once was, instead of the rental house it had become.
I feel my family has had their fair share of lemonade this year. There have been a few other challenges along the way, my sister got shingles, my dog got attacked by another dog, and a few challenges at mom's place that will remain unspoken. Through it all I have become so proud of my family and so thankful for what we have. Every time we have been faced with another challenge, we have all pulled together. We have been supportive of one another. We have demonstrated that we are a family of tough cookies. Now I do realize how incredibly blessed we are. Our challenges have been minor compared to those faced by others, but these are ours. Since we are never given more than we can handle, these challenges fit us just right!
I did not write this for pity or sadness. I put this down in writing as a reminder to myself that my family can and will handle "it"....whatever "it" may be. We are always there for each other and always will be. As for 2013.....come on cake and ice cream - I am ready for a change!
Our year started out great. We were finishing up our expat assignment in Dubai. The family had made a list of the things we had to see and do before we moved back home. We didn't miss a beat! We shopped, we traveled, and we had checked all of the boxes. Kevin was graduating from our wonderful American School of Dubai and his final year had been so much fun! There were a flurry of activities and a great group of "senior moms" who were on a mission to make this final year the BEST EVER! I still smile when I think about it.
We headed back to the States at the end of June. About the time we were packing up the house, I became aware that my mom was having some health issues. My sister kept me informed daily as to the happenings back at home, but by the time I landed on June 20th, it became apparent I was needed at mom's place in Florida. I headed out five days later. This seems to be when things turned sour.
Over the next few weeks my sister and I took my mom to many doctor visits and decided (told) she needed to live near one of us. My mom was diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease. If you have not heard of it, go ahead and google! It is the 2nd most common form of a dementia illness, just behind Alzheimers. After living in Florida for 34 years, it was decided mom would become a Texan. I returned back to Texas and started looking for an assisted living facility for mom. I found a wonderful place. It was so much more like an apartment complex than a "facility" that mom should truly be happy there. The story of the actual move is quite long and detailed, but in summary, she came, she saw, she conquered! She handled the move with true grace and strength. Toughest cookie around!
Within the next month, my brother-in-law had a stroke and Kevin had a bike accident at school. In October Sarah was diagnosed with epilepsy and my nephew required major surgery on his shoulder. All of this was happening while we were working on settling back into our house and trying to turn it into the loved home it once was, instead of the rental house it had become.
I feel my family has had their fair share of lemonade this year. There have been a few other challenges along the way, my sister got shingles, my dog got attacked by another dog, and a few challenges at mom's place that will remain unspoken. Through it all I have become so proud of my family and so thankful for what we have. Every time we have been faced with another challenge, we have all pulled together. We have been supportive of one another. We have demonstrated that we are a family of tough cookies. Now I do realize how incredibly blessed we are. Our challenges have been minor compared to those faced by others, but these are ours. Since we are never given more than we can handle, these challenges fit us just right!
I did not write this for pity or sadness. I put this down in writing as a reminder to myself that my family can and will handle "it"....whatever "it" may be. We are always there for each other and always will be. As for 2013.....come on cake and ice cream - I am ready for a change!
No comments:
Post a Comment