The Heart That Keeps Beating

blogging, challenge, prompt, , , 33 Comments

My mother with her Christmas nails. (Read story here) After he painted them, my son FaceTimed us so we could all see. Mom was radiant with joy to see all of us on the iPad my son-in-law had provided.

On his next visit, Jay took her down to see the Christmas lights in the lobby of her nursing home. She wasn’t supposed to be out of the room, but the nurse just winked at him and told him to stay out of sight of security. I could just imagine the two of them revelling in the adventure.

The next morning I awoke to the ringing of my cellphone. It was my sister.

“Mom’s had another episode. She doesn’t want to go to hospital. I’m on my way to see her.”

Sister reached the home just as they were putting Mom in an ambulance.

“Her blood pressure is too high, she has a fever, and she has been vomiting blood,” the staff nurse said. “She been having trouble breathing as well.”

“I just keep praying for God to take me,” Mom gasped.

My sister stepped forward, forgetting the protocols of COVID. There was a moment of hesitation and then the paramedics stepped back.

“Give your Mom a hug.”

Mom has pneumonia. The stress on her heart may be fatal, the doctors have warned. They administered antibiotics and put her on oxygen. She’s back in her room now at the home.

“Guess I’m meant to survive,” she said in our daily phone call.

“You are the poster child for survival,” I told her.

“Yeah, right. Did I tell you Jay came to see me and took me to see the lights? He’s going to do my nails again next time.”

***

This week I asked for heartwarming tales, and I was not disappointed – from nature’s gifts to the kindness of others, you’ve brightened my week. Hope you had a chance to partake in the warmth:

And Forever, Radhikasreflection
Work in progress, Heart to Heart
A Needed Support System, MMA Storytime
Precious Past, I Write Her
Louis, purpleinportland
Heartwarming, Reena Saxeena
Now that you’re gone, Eugi’s Causerie II
So far yet so close, paeansunpluggedblog
The Waxing Crescent, Sgeoil
Our Next-Door Neighbor, Culture Shocks

I will not be posting a new challenge until the new year. Wishing you all the best for this holiday season.



Posted by

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

33 thoughts on “The Heart That Keeps Beating”

  2. Hello – I wrote a post that links to your prompt, and I check in on it every once in a while. I saw this, however, and had to comment:

    Whatever your mom thinks about illness, etc., she really does have fantastic hair for her age. Very well-kempt, smooth, and great cut. Hope I’m not being too creepy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m not sure that link worked – I have not seen it. WordPress can be fickle. Maybe send me a link here and I’ll have a look. I’ll have to tell my mom your comments because her hair is driving her crazy. She’s been back and forth between hospital and home and each time misses her hair appointment, lol.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Aww, poor mom! And don’t worry about the link. It was more an explanation for me being new/weird seeming. The link goes to a category thingy (your prompt), so it probably won’t show up for you as a pingback.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Your mom was really stylin’ in her leopard-print blouse and red nails. What a gift Jay gave her! I’m so sorry she became ill the following day. I hope the home is taking good care of her to make her comfortable and keep her spirits up. I hope you and your family are able to have a good holiday together, even if togetherness has to be virtual.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Your thoughts matter...

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.