The Lowdown...

I really wanted to be telling you guys all about the prom right now... and I plan to tell you so many stories of that event you will all yell "enough" in unison...

But today I can't tell you that because I need you guys to know what is going on... I need all your prayers right now... I need you, my bloggy friends, because you are super easy to talk to... and I need to talk.

 Do you guys remember a couple weeks ago when I told you I just found out my mom has breast cancer? Well Tuesday she went in for a mastectomy... we were told it was a simple procedure and she would be home in about one to two days. Well, things didn't go as planned and she spent the next four days in special care. Most of it so hopped up on pain meds, I didn't know what was going on... She had several complications and since her health was poor to start with, it has been kinda scary. She was never in any rick of dying as far as I know, but she was pretty bad.

 My step-dad has alzheimer's and needs round the clock care. The people who have been helping out need a break. My mom is out of special care but can't go home unless there is someone there... So the girlies and I have to go to Maine in the wee hours of the morning tomorrow...

I found out how bad their situation is Friday morning... Yes, the day of the prom... I was on auto pilot most of the day Saturday as we made travel plans... The thing is, it's not just that they need someone there right now... from what I'm hearing they are not able to care for themselves or each other very well for sometime now. The situation is dire and there are people who wish to get social services involved...

My mom and step-dad don't see it that way, and now I need to go and assess the situation. My mom can be one of the nicest most generous people on the planet... when she wants to, but mostly she is a bit bossy, manipulative and pushy. She burns people out fast... she is one of those people who likes to have people wait on her and will milk it... she definitely burns bridges faster then she builds them... My step-dad is mostly a sweet, bumbling guy these days, but back in the day he was an alcoholic... When he was drinking he was very difficult to be around... He has hosted his share of bride burnings himself...

I love these two people very much... they may be difficult people but they are my difficult people. They both have a lot of redeeming qualities, and even if they didn't, they are my parents and I need to do what is "honorable" by them... "Honor thy father and mother" Does not mean just how you speak to them... it is being honorable for them...I am not saying there haven't been bridges burnt in our relationship, but the honorable thing is to re-build them...

I am alone in my thinking on this... you see I am the youngest of seven... yes... seven... and I live the furthest away... most of my siblings and step-siblings are within a few hours of them, but they can't or won't help them... They all have their reasons... but it comes down to me...

My parents have been relying on the kindness of friends and their church to take care of their needs... this I didn't know, but apparently it has been going on for a long time. (Like over two years...) They have been hiding the reality of their situation from me... I don't know why. Anyhow, to make a long story longer... This hospitalization is the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back... I have spent the last four days hearing from people (some I've never met...) all with opinions as to their situation and what needs to be done...

I have been so overwhelmed, I even missed church Sunday (Easter)... I just needed to be home with my husband... we needed to pray together... I needed quiet, not fancy dresses and crowds... I am drowning in emotions... I have power a of attorney... the doctor insisted on it before he will release her. I have to fly across the country and sort out the lives of my parents...  I am not prepared...

I also need to leave this computer here and don't know the computer situation there... I will post when I can... I may not talk about all this... it is too much... I may need to escape... or I may do what I just did, and pour my heart out... This is new to me, I don't know how I will react...

Pray for us... all of us...

Thanks for listening...