John and I just returned from a wonderful Caribbean
cruise. We didn’t bring laptops; we kept
our phones off and enjoyed the unplugged time together. However, I do admit to mentally—and even
verbally—noting blog fodder throughout the week. This post will begin a short series of posts about that vacation, but you'll want to go back and carefully read the title again. . . .
John and I flew to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on a Saturday, and stayed in a hotel that night. Our cruise was scheduled to depart the following day. My mom agreed to come to our house and stay with our youngest daughter while we were gone. My mind was at ease, knowing that my mom was there to help with the running of the household.
Where do I start? Thanks to everyone!
Sometime after midnight, the hotel room phone rang. It was our neighbor from home, calling to tell us that my mom had fallen and possibly broken her arm and that the paramedics were there to take her to the hospital. Oh, no! We were roughly 2700 miles away. What could we do?
Fortunately, we were still in the country. Fortunately, we had our cell phones. Fortunately, we have great friends and family members. I called my dad to let him know, and he booked the next flight to our home. He also gave me strict instructions that we were to go on with our cruise, have a good time, and not worry about anything. My neighbor accompanied my mom to the hospital. I called church friends, and before I knew it, youngest daughter had a place to stay that night, my dad had a ride from the airport to my house, meals were arranged to be brought in while we were gone, various people would be checking in throughout the week, prayers were offered, arrangements were made to get my mom back to my house and to the pharmacy to pick up medications, and my mind was again at ease.
I spoke to my mom again before we embarked. It was a somewhat amusing phone call, as we each apologized.
"I'm so sorry, Mom!"
"Kristi, I'm sorry!"
It reminded me a bit of the line from Dr. Strangelove:
I am as sorry as you are, Dimitri. Don't say that you are more sorry than I am, because I am capable of being just as sorry as you are. So we're both sorry, all right?
Once we got the sorries spoken, I was told to go and have a good time, and reassured again that Mom would be fine.
I am indebted to so many people who have helped my parents and daughter while John and I gallivanted throughout the Caribbean, and I'm also indebted to my parents and daughter, who held down the fort while we were gone.
Future posts will be more like the slide shows of yesteryear, but without everyone's help, there wouldn't have been a vacation at all.
Where do I start? Thanks to everyone!
I have been anxiously awaiting your return. So glad you're back. Can't wait to see the photos to come.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your mom's mishap. I'm sure she felt horrible. It really is times like this that we become humbled by the outpouring of care and love by family and friends. This is exactly what community is all about.
Hope your mom is recovering well.
She seems to be in pretty good spirits. We are applying a healthy dose of humor to recovery by watching funny youtube videos and perusing Pinterest fail photos.
DeleteGood friends and neighbor's are truly blessing from God. I'm glad your Mom is okay and on the mend, that your Dad was able to help her and your daughter until you got home.
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to hear about your trip.
There has certainly been an outpouring of help.
DeleteWe had a great trip; I'll get some posts written soon.
All your friends were there for your mother and daughter, because you are always there for your friends. That's how it works. How great you could go on holiday, despite the rocky start and your mom's fall. I hope she is allright now? I'm terribly curious about the trip itself, the pictures and all your adventures.
ReplyDeleteShe and my dad are flying home this morning. Recovery will take a while, but she is in good spirits.
DeleteVacation posts to follow. :-)
Oh, my goodness, Kristi. Your poor Mom. But I'm sure the support system, even 2700 miles away is a HUGE blessing. I can't wait to see your trip photos and hear everything.
ReplyDeleteHUGE blessing is right!
Deleteoh my goodness - hope your mom is doing better- isn't wonderful coming to a realization that we really are not alone - what a wonderful community.
ReplyDeleteShe's in good spirits and on her way to recovery, though she did say she "wouldn't recommend" breaking bones. :-)
DeleteI can't wait to hear all about your cruise - something I would love to do! Really glad you have such good friends to help out when you needed it. Glad she is going to be AOK, too!
ReplyDeleteWe tried a cruise for the first time last year, to see if we would like it. We did. :-) Carnival has some short, inexpensive cruises out of LA, so if you want to try one out, I'd suggest going that route. I found there was plenty for us to do, even though we don't drink nor gamble.
DeleteThat's why it's called a church family, isn't it? Your mom has had a time of it lately. I hope she's on the mend and that her injury won't keep her from being able to blog!
ReplyDeleteIt was her right arm, unfortunately, but she's becoming ambidextrous pretty quickly, so hopefully she will blog again soon!
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