I am still alive if anyone is out there wondering.
My Mother has been staying with me for the past six-plus weeks while waiting for her house to sell in Florida. God willing, if all goes as planned, a brother and sister will be the new owners of my parent's dream home on September 20, 2023.
My Mom never thought she would leave that little house in Florida. She never planned to go through all her belongings and decide what was most important to keep for her last twenty years and what would have to be pitched or given away.
What memories were hidden in a dresser that Mom would come across while cleaning out a drawer would be strong enough to make her sit back and catch her breath as waves of memories washed over her?
To know she really had no choice in where she was moving to. Those choices, because of the distance, were out of her hands. She had to put all faith in her daughter to do what was right. She trusted her. She had no choice.
I try to remember that no matter my choices, the choices are to give Mom the best life I can. I, too, must remind myself that I could not keep flying down to care for her. My health has been going downhill fast. I could not handle another plane ride. I can not handle being alone and taking care of her again.
Last year, I spent over four months alone with her in her Florida house, caring for her. She was told not to walk for twelve weeks. My adrenalin to keep her well cared for ran out about nine weeks in. It has taken me over a year to recover from those four-plus months.
What I could do was make sure she had the money to live in a place I knew she would be more than happy with. Surrounded by all kinds of people. A place where she has the freedom to live how she wants but one that takes care of tedious tasks like cleaning for her.
It was worth it in the end because I saved her house and, in doing so, made it possible for her to move up to Wisconsin into a place anyone would be proud to call home.
Yet it has been heartbreaking and scary to watch my Mother realize that I wasn't hopping on a plane to save her at eighty-six. This time, she was going to have to do the hopping. It took her a week's stay in a Hospital to finally realize it was time to move.
I had meant what I said the last time I walked out of that little house she loved so much. I could not, would not, be able to come down and take care of her again. She needed to get ready to move back home to Wisconsin.
With the house sale, Mom could afford to hire a moving company to come in and box everything she owns, drive it to Wisconsin, and deliver all her things to her new apartment this Saturday. She needs her things.
My Mother has always been a minimalist. She hates clutter. She craves light. She doesn't do well in spaces that feel small. She is a woman of habit. For over six weeks, she has not had anything that brings her peace. It is wearing on her, so we count the days until move-in day. Three Days...Only three more days.
Photo by Ecoinstante
The bright spot and my saving grace is my son, @Ecoinstant, and daughter-in-law flew up, once again, to help me. They were at Mom's house when the movers came to pack everything. They took care of all the small details, like taking out the last bit of trash before closing the house door for the last time.
They spent three days driving my Mom's car from Florida to Wisconsin so we would have a safer and newer vehicle than anything we currently own. They will help Mom unpack all the boxes and help put everything in its new home. They are my angels who come to help make my life easier.
They have sacrificed a month of their lives to make mine more manageable, and for that, I am humbled and grateful to have two such beautiful souls in my life. I owe them so much.
As I sit and type this with my broken foot while my Mom sleeps upstairs with her infected legs...I thank God I was so lucky to have the son I do, and he was so intelligent to marry the woman he did.
Last, I want to Thank @Ecoinstante for traveling to the USA during the most important days of her life. Tomorrow, she will present her thesis for her master's Degree. She spent the last two years doing four years of work, and it all comes down to tomorrow for her.
Ledis has fought for her ideas, community, and the environment that houses rare animals in their part of the world. You wait. Soon, her name will be known worldwide.
I am Blessed in so many ways. Even when pulling my hair out one strand at a time, as @TheHive told me to, so I might have some hair left by the time Mom settles into her new apartment!
Thumbnail Image by Arduinna from Pixabay
All photos are mine unless otherwise stated.
