Tag, You're It

It is always amazing to me how differently people handle tough medical issues-not only their own health crises but also those of their loved ones. Being pretty solidly in middle age now, like most of my friends, my time has come too. My stepdad's recent diagnosis has certainly affected my sisters and me, but more from the standpoint of trying to support my Mom. We have been visiting him to help her-translating medical events, driving to the hospital, and trying to disentangle his online banking system for her. Many of my good pals have recently made emergency trips home due to medical issues with one or more of their parents. Well, it's my turn now. Earlier today I got a call from my sister saying that my Mom tripped on a speed bump in a parking lot and fell flat on her face (my nephew Ethan calls that a face plant). Apparently she landed on her nose, cut her face requiring stitches, and injured her knee. Hmmm, it's one thing to do a face plant when you're 8 and sledding down a snowy hill; it's another when you're 68, distracted by your husband's brain cancer and fall on the asphalt. That stuff hurts. All I could think of when my sister called me with the news was "tag you're it." My turn to share in the unexpected health woes of my parents.

You might think I'd be pretty good at it with all of my medical experience. Suffice to say that when it's your parent, you're just the child like everyone else. We are really lucky that my sister was already there visiting with her kids. And we're lucky because one of her oldest friends can be with her this week until I can get there this w-e. I hope that she rests some and lets herself heal. It's been a rough last 6 mos since Brian's diagnosis.
February is often a tough month-it's the longest, short month. Seems like ours is going to be filled with doctors and hospitals and trips to Charleston.

This year we are getting lots of fun snow the mountains, and I really enjoy that. This is a shot of Beaver Lake which is one of my favorite runs near our house.