Jun 25, 2013
I AM BACK!!!!!
The last four days have been so hectic that I lost track of time. There have been a few highs and so many lows that I am almost emotioned out. Is that a word? Is that possible?
My flight from Kelowna to Edmonton last Friday went very well and I was greeted in Edmonton by my friend Ena at the airport. We met at a beach in Edmonton, Seba Beach in fact, during the summer between completing grade six and commencing grade seven. I remember our mothers sitting and visiting while we played in the sand and water. We spent our remaining school years together at the Academie Assomption, a girls only school.
Ena had planned a brunch for 7 of us from the class of ’71.
Some of us had not seen each other for 42 years!! So hard to believe.
What an amazing few hours. None of us wanted to leave. No one wanted to stop the memories or the current state of our various lives. It was fast paced, sometimes hard to keep up with this conversation and that one, but mostly we all shared each moment together. We are all the same age, born the same year, so it was also a celebration of us all turning 60!! We were and are a powerful group. We recalled various teachers and others in our class. Many are still in touch with others. We dreamed about meeting in Mazatlan ( where else, eh!) and even Florida but most certainly very very soon.
Really folks it must have been that schooling by nuns that made us all state that we preferred future get togethers be around wine. Thank goodness it is not just my personal preference! Anyway it seems that we are all either teachers, nurses or dentists. A great group indeed. We share such a deep bond, it seems like it was just yesterday we were all together. Plus we all easily recognized each other, obviously we are such a special group that we do not show our age. Like Gisele ( on the right in the upper photo ) said….” I had my first white hairs at 16″…so she is who she is, unaltered after 42 years!
..we were together over 3 hours and it was difficult to say goodbye. Don't we look fab for 60?
I left the restaurant elated and thinking of future reunions. Ena kindly dropped me at the hospital where I would be seeing my Mom. As I walked into the hospital the up of the visit with my classmates clashed in my heart with my impending visit on the 6th floor with Mom. I had to call mi amor and once again, as he always has done, he steadied me and gave me the courage to continue.
My Mom’s first words to me were ” I want to go home”! I patiently explained to her that it was not possible but if she got stronger she could one day go to a nursing home. She said she would not do that and she did not want to continue as she was. So we talked about life and death. I am so thankful I had those few private and lucid moments with her. Her Dr. then arrived and the social worker arrived, Dad had arrived no more than 5 minutes earlier and then a very frank discussion ensued. Many tears and much emotion flowed.
Mom was later transferred to a private room ( she was in a room with 4 others who listened in our final private conversations ) Very stressful for all of us in the family who were present. Decisions were made and acted upon.
61 years of love.
By now Dad was drained, exhausted and hungry.
Funny face! Fish and chips.
I am still figuring out what I can and can't eat so this seemed safe enough.
Much conversation later, many phone calls to family and many hugs and we settled for the night. First for me was a long conversation with Ena, thanks for being there for me for 43 years amiga. Then another long call to Colin and that ended Friday. I promise to catch you up to date tomorrow.
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Ahhh, Contessa, my heart and thoughts are with all of you! So glad you got to be with your mama and daddy again. Sending undending hugs, love, and prayers!!!!!
I’m so glad that you started your weekend with a happy get together! How wonderful to be with so many good friends.
Sometimes the good and not so good come crashing together so quickly, it’s like being on a roller coaster. Thinking of you and your family during these difficult times.
You ladies do look pretty young fo 60, nice to keep in touch after so many years.
Glad you got that time with your mom before your surgery. You’ll be able to concentrate on your own healing now.