Ode to my Mother

While Thanksgiving is a normal time to give thanks for our family and friends, this year's thanks were much more meaningful. My mother can be described in many ways: workaholic, giving, caring, independent, creative, optimistic, soulful, beautiful, intelligent, lover of life, musician, writer, poet, artist, teacher, confidant, best friend, and many more. Thanksgiving morning she admitted herself to the local hospital. She had been denying an extreme pain that had been building in her body for days (which she told no one else about), and tried to self-medicate with over-the-counter drugs to help eliviate the problem. She didn't want to go to the hospital because she had too many meetings and things to take care of at work. When she called me to tell me the news, I was in shock because she had been hiding her problem so well. We had planned to spend Thanksgiving Day together in Frankenmuth at our favorite holiday restaurant, Zender's.

I have never seen my mother in such pain. Even in the state she was in, she was still too concerned about having to make it to work the next day and not being able to go to a meeting that was scheduled, etc. All the while, I'm just thankful she's finally getting help. After a CAT scan and an ultra sound, my mother was admitted for exploratory surgery which led to the removal of several organs. She is currently in the hospital recovering, but with my brother and I being her only close family, it will be very difficult for her to deal with being stuck in the hospital. I may be unavailable at times, but I hope that everyone understands. Please send your thoughts and prayers for a safe and speedy recovery.

UPDATE: 1/06 Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers! She has made a complete recovery and is back to her usual doing-too-much self. However, now she's taking more time to relax and be healthier, and she's looking more beautiful than ever. ;-) I love you mom!