One never knows...do one?

A story from" This is one for the book" :

April 15, 2007 about 1:15 in the afternoon

The news wasn’t good for Flo [my mom] . In the hospital’s ER, the physician showed us the CAT scan that shouted out, “STROKE’. She was admitted upstairs to a room, and many thought that 95 was the end of the road. A very fast timeline:
- recovered enough to be sent for rehab at a local nursing home
- an unhappy patient, she got an infection, and back to the hospital
-more rehab…then rehab time was up…and she was about to be transferred to the regular part of the nursing home, referred to as ‘the peepee and Pine-Sol wing’.
Gracie [wonderdog] was the hit of the nursing home, and the only entertainment loved by all! She was very protective of Mom.
I don’t know how it came to be that I was taken seriously enough about bringing her up to my house. I do understand why family and friends were apprehensive because of Flo’s condition [right side of her body not working well] and my RA. A ramp/deck was built, home care and a hospital bed were arranged, and when an ad appeared in the classified section of the local newspaper about a used van with a wheelchair lift- well… I took as a ‘sign’!
I purchased the van, named it "The Flomobile" thinking I would drive there and get her, but was met with opposition from my brother.
What if you have car trouble?
Suppose you have a flat tire?
Is she going to be sitting on the side of the road in the heat of the day
awaiting AAA to arrive?
There was nothing to be gained by arguing about this and I did see his point,
and so I arranged an ambulance ride for everyone’s peace of mind. In the wee small hours of the morning, my good friends drove me about 35 minutes and a couple of towns away to ride with the ‘chariot’ that was to move my mother in a peaceful and safe way from the nursing home to my home. I had to ride with her because I am her peace of mind. So, off we go…into the wild blue yonder…a 6 hour drive…into the sun.
One of the 2 young men drove, and the other one went back to sleep on the way down so that he could drive on the way back.
I rode shotgun.

It had been awhile since I got to look out the window and enjoy the sights of the trip because I am the only driver in my house. And I can hold a conversation with the best of ‘em! We were sailing along…[on Moonlight Bay] no.…during the day…

Talking, working on the crossword puzzle that I had brought with me, sipping some bottled water, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike amidst the big rigs, when ‘thud-ddd-dThe driver quickly maneuvered the ambulance away from the concrete guardrail, across the right hand lane, and onto the shoulder of the road.
“What was that?” yells the ‘napping medic’…I mean…the no longer napping medic!!
A blow-out! The ambulance!
So, who sat on the side of the road awaiting AAA?
Me.
Watching those big trucks whoosh by and rock the vehicle, while I am text messaging my brother, “We’re going to be later than planned…you won’t believe this, but, “The ambulance is on the side of the road with a blown tire and we are waiting for AAA!!! Who would have thought of that?
It was great fodder for my AARP Safe Driving classes about where to stand and what to do [like be sure to have your cell phone and AAA Card with you in case it is needed…yes, it was my AAA that got the tire changed!!! ] I was later reimbursed for the AAA Call.
Back on the road, the rest of the trip went smoother [thankfully].
The medics went for lunch while I went into the nursing home and found my brother and Flo.

She and her 'biddies' were finishing a celebratory luncheon. Her bags were packed. Mom and I boarded , and away we went. We talked all the way home, all was well, and the leader of the ‘homecare crew’ was waiting for us as we rolled up to the deck. A calm and confident nurse helped Mom into bed, and I fell into bed, thinking,
“Thank ya Jesus!”
And here we are - a year and a half later-

Mom is happy getting a perm, eating 'Turtles', and betting on the reality shows!! Flo’s still winning, and I haven’t won yet. The reality pools, that is…
She absolutely loves, loves, loves the dog.
Gracie and Flo have a bond that is so much fun to watch. She tells her, "I love you to pieces!"

She is entertained by the birds, especially the hummingbirds.

What does she love the most?

Ahh-hh A massage! Ohmmmmm.

You don't get those in the nursing home!!