No Pictures, Just Prayers

After an incredibly exhausting week, I was thoroughly looking forward to having a restful weekend. Jason went to Tunica in hopes of starting Baby KP's college fund. (Aside: We won't be starting our tuition account just yet, but we won't have to donate plasma this week to put food on the table either.) My (not so) big weekend plans were thrown out the window Friday afternoon with one simple phone call.

My mom called me at five o'clock with news that my 91 year old grandmother had fallen and broken her hip. Cue stoic daughter. "Okay mom. I think we should go, can dad puppy-sit?" So I rushed home, scarfed down my taco salad, packed, took care of some weekend chores and waited for my ride and tried to get the tears out before my mom showed up.

We drove through torrential rain nearly the entire trip and four hours later arrived at the hospital. Miraculously, mamaw was awake! She was so happy to see us that her eyes just lit up. She has Alzheimer's, so she did not remember falling and had to be reminded at least ten times that she had broken her hip and was having surgery the next morning. My heart shattered every time they told her because it was obvious that the news gave her fresh angst and distress all over again.

There was a silver lining to a midnight run to the hospital. I was able to show her the ultrasound of our little pinto bean. We talked about names and such. She is now rooting for her name, Mary, if we have a girl. She had a hard time resting so I offered to practice my lullaby singing on her. Even with her Alzheimer's she remembers that I can't sing, so she declined the offer.

My Friday night and all day Saturday was filled with prayer. Prayer that she would be without pain, that God would bless those who worked on her, that she may find His strength and courage after the surgery and throughout recovery. I prayed for the only mamaw I have. I found comfort and I know God was all around us. Jeremiah (33:6) promises, "Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security." I didn't know who would need healing more, my family or my mamaw.

The surgery went incredibly well. The doctor said that she has a better chance of recovery than most 91 year old hip replacement patients. Although she was in serious pain, I still tried to lighten her spirits by saying things like, "you got a shiny new hip...it's still got a tag on it...you even have that new-hip smell." She would chuckle, grab my hand and say, "not another one like her." I love her so much. She is so brave.

Sunday morning, after a restful night's sleep, I went back to the hospital. My mom, who only slept about seven hours all weekend, was still on bedside watch. We were soon relieved by the first shift, my uncle, so that we could get on the road. I treated mom to a Denny's breakfast before driving us home. By the way, if you haven't been to Denny's lately, it's really good.

Today, she got out of bed twice and was actually able to put some weight on her new hip. It was sad to leave her because I know that we truly did help liven her spirits. Mom is going back tomorrow and I'm sure I'll be heading back rather soon myself. Until then, I will find comfort in knowing, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [y]our hearts and [y]our minds in Jesus Christ." (Philippians 4:7)