Back to Reality

Miss Nora and I are back in the Lone Star state. We flew back to Dallas late last night. It was great to come home to Mark, but so hard to leave my mom and dad. Nora was a trooper once again on the flight. There was an sweet Grandma across the aisle from us. Nora wanted to sit up almost the entire flight so that she could talk and smile at her. She must know a Grandma when she sees one! I know that she already misses my mom and her Granny. She got pretty spoiled while we were in Alabama. Imagine that...

It is still kind of bizarre to be back. Nora, my mom and I were in such a routine. I know that mom misses us already. She probabaly doesn't miss the 2 a.m. feeding though! Just kidding - my mom was such a huge help with the baby. I don't know how she did it all. None of us were getting enough rest between hospital visits and lack of sleep.

It was really hard to leave my daddy. It seems like every time we visited (you can only go into ICU for 30 minutes, 5 times a day), he would either be doing ok and not so great. I feel like we are constantly on a rollercoaster. They were hoping to take him off of the respirator yesterday, but he had a fever and was too weak. Plus, they had found an infection on his mitrovalve that leads to his heart. Hopefully the six week course on antibiotics will take the infection away. The last visit I had with dad was pretty hard. I saw him at 2 p.m. on Saturday before we had to finish packing and head to the airport. He was awake and able to look me in the eyes. He also was able to nod, so I know that he understood that I had to leave. That still didn't make it any easier. I tried not to cry, but that doesn't seem to be possible these days. It was really hard to walk away.

Isn't it amazing how God provides at the most important times? Just a few minutes after I walked out of ICU, our friends from Birmingham, Allan, Valerie and their cutie pie son Carter, walked in the door. They had driven down to see us and pray for my dad. How amazing is that?!? I think I am still in shock from Allan's phone call the day before telling me that they were coming. Wow! Valerie is about to give birth in a week and they still came! Anyway, it was so great to see them and catch up. I wish that Mark had been there too. He and Allan have been friends since they were in high school. Before they headed back to Birmingham, we all held hands and Allan said a sweet prayer for my daddy. Whoa ... that is all that I can say.

Mom calls Jeff and me after every visit when we aren't there to give us an update on dad. What a trooper she is! Thank goodness for all of the support we have received from our pastors, friends and family. I had so many people tell me that they are going to be there to support her since I had to leave. That makes me feel better, but I still wish that I was there.

I am heading back to work tomorrow morning after being gone for 3 months. Talk about reality hitting you in the face. UGH! Tomorrow is going to be a hard day. The Sutherland's are opening their house to Nora for their nanny to watch her for the next five weeks until she begins going to Prince of Peace. I know that she will be loved on by Kathy, Jennifer and Elizabeth, but it is still going to be hard. Hopefully I can make it there for a lunchtime visit!