up up and away
Since we moved our Mom and her 90-year-old husband, Bill, into assisted living, things have been swiftly going downhill for Bill. I’ve had him in the ER and Sloane receives dozens of phone calls a day from him, as he repeats the same concerns, problems, and fears over and over again. I should also preface all of this by letting you know that Bill and I do not get along. He doesn’t like me and I don’t like him. Honestly, from day one.
Sloane stops by to check on them every single day after work (and sometimes before). Every Day! On her way home from a full day’s work! She’s been doing this for months! I know… she is amazing and I try to tell her so!
Anyhow, Bill is extremely unhappy, completely confused, and very anxious, and his health is rapidly declining before our very eyes. It was decided last week (when I had him in the ER) that he would go back to Michigan to be with his family, at least for the time being.
Sloane has a demanding full-time job, I volunteered to be the one to get him there.
As a result, I shall do my best to repeat the Dalai Lama’s wise words to myself for the next 20 hours! You will understand why when you see my itinerary for today:
Arrive at my sister’s home at 5:30 AM. Leave my car there. Sloane and I pick up Bill and she’ll drive us to Sky Harbor International Airport.
Bill and I depart Phoenix on Southwest Airlines at 7:40 AM
Arrive in Chicago Midway at 1:00 PM
Change planes to Southwest Airlines in Chicago at 2:15 PM
Arrive in Detroit at 4:20 PM
I hand off Bill to his son in Detroit. They leave and I find my way to another gate.
I depart Detroit at 7:10 PM
Arrive in Denver at 8:25 PM
Change planes to Southwest Airlines in Denver at 9:55 PM
Arrive home in Phoenix at 10:50 PM
Sloane picks me up and drives me to her house, where I get in my own car, drive home, and collapse into my bed.
Feel free to leave me words of courage and encouragement. I know that I am going to need them!
Plus, it will be a pleasure to have something nice to read while I’m sitting in airports throughout the long and stressful day.
10 comments
You can do it! 🙂
My heart goes out to all of you. What a difficult situation to be in at the end of your life and also to be the one(s) making decisions regarding it for someone else. Travel these days is less than fun so I pray for your strength and all your flights are good ones without a hitch!! 🙂 There is an end in sight. Hugs!
You are in my prayers today my friend. At least you can do this by air and not in the car for hours on end? And, while today you will live my motto: ” The good you do may not be good for you” it sounds like this will be good for all of you once you make it through today. Much love and wishes for safe and uneventful travel (unless it is fun eventful:). xo
I love you and know you are doing this because you are a loving, kind soul! My wish for you, as you do this selfless deed, is that you find happiness in doing something that no one else can do… You are a hero to me, my dear friend! xoxo
Oh Linda,
So tough that this falls to you. You are one of the strongest persons I know and I am sure you will handle this with ease. I hope there is someone with your strength, compassion, integrity to listen to our final requests and take care of us in our “golden” years. Hang in there my friend. Lunch when you return. Hugs, Ronnie.
You are a rock star and I know exactly heartbeat for heartbeat
how you feel and how hard what you are doing is. Have sadly walked
many miles in those shoes over the past 2 years. You are strongest,
bravest, most resourceful person I know- you will overcome! Oxoxo
The important thing is that our day-to-day life should be meaningful, that our attitude should be positive, happy and warm. – Dalai Lama
As far as I know, Linda, you have all of these qualities… I wish you all the love and strength you need. xox
You did it and with such ease and grace! and God smiled on you all the way home! We have done everything we could possibly do for both Mom and Bill and this is his wish – that he be with his kids!
Love you so very much! xoxoxo
Hi Linda. I know what it’s like so I keeping you and Sloane in my prayers. It’s not easy! I went through years of so many similar challenges with Kerry’s mom. But if anyone can handle it with love, grace, strength, humor, good sense and wisdom it would be you! Look for something witty or funny or inspiring each day and you’ll find it along with the strength to carry on. Love you!
I’ve been there and it’s not easy. Hang in there. You are an angel here on earth.
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