Gratitude

The Downing Girls: Karen, Debbie, Glenda (mom), and Myra at the Schwartz family farm (2012)

The last week has been tough. My mom had a pretty major health episode last Sunday. She got to come home from the hospital on Friday. Her recovery will be slow, but the prognosis is excellent. We would not have been able to manage without the help of our family--especially my aunts (above) and my sweet cousin Kelly. Uncle Larry and Uncle Roger too. Seriously, my family is already close, but when a crisis hits, it gets thick as mud.

I was telling Lindsey yesterday, that when I thanked my aunts, Kelly, and even my friend Katy, every one of them responded, "Oh, I didn't do anything." Each one of them said this. So. Not. True. I can't even expound on them/this because I'm a bucket of tears as it is. 

Also, my dear Lindsey has been remarkable. He is such an awesome dad and although I was gone so much during the week, Audrey has sailed through all this with the greatest of ease. She missed me, but I'm not sure why. Lindsey took her to the planetarium, tropical fish store, Tower Tee Mini Golf, Grant's Farm, swimming, and all her favorite places to eat. We told her that grandma was sick, but didn't dwell on it. She made cards and was her usual sweet little self.

I'd say more about how much my dad, my brothers, and my mom mean to me. But I just can't. How a family loves and works is a kind of complicated joy. It is a story understood only by its characters.

My mom told me yesterday that when she was outside for a little bit, everything looked like it was 3D to her, even more beautiful than before. Amen, mama.

This world. So mixed up and wonderful. I'm so full of love and gratitude it hurts.