Today is my Mum’s birthday. And it means the world to be able to wish her a Happy one.
That Southern Lady has been through the ringer these past two years … countless ICU visits, needles, doctors, specialists, her extended rehab facility stay for a cracked hip, heart failure, losing her husband of 53 years, losing her sister … and that’s not all of it.
Beginning in 2017, it only eased up in 2019.
There was so many things that hit her in succession that it hurts to list them, let alone remember what she endured. But endured she did, with the heart of a wolf.
“Wolf is a symbol of guardianship, ritual, loyalty, and spirit. Wolf has the ability to make quick and firm emotional attachments, and often need to trust their own instincts. Thus they teach us to do the same, to trust our hearts and minds, and have control over our own lives.“
More so, she did it like a woman who raised four boys and one girl in three countries … she did it by putting one foot in front of the other and walking straight ahead. I know, I watched her with tears in my eyes.
On the 22nd, I’m collecting my warrior Mum and we’re going on our second road trip of the year. In April it was South. In May we are heading North, taking a few days to drive up to New Hampshire by way of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Originally it was going to be a solo journey, just me driving Kyle and Ellen’s* car to their new house in Dover. I have some free time and they asked if I would drive their second car up to them when they moved. Right up my alley, I absolutely said yes.
*As with all my blog posts, names have been changed.
Kyle and Ellen have been close neighbours with my parents for twenty years. And during those years they were often over for dinner and chats, in the last five years they have been an enormous source of physical and emotional support for both my parents having become extended members of my family.
That’s when it dawned on me that my Mum should really be part of her old friends’ new future. So I asked her to join me. I get the love of the road from my parents. They were always off somewhere. My Mum’s an awesome passenger. Independent, responsive and game. The best kind of travelling companion. She said yes almost immediately.
The plan is to spend however long we want up there checking out historic sites, possibly visiting distant family and solidly seeing Kyle and Ellen in their new place. And when done, take a leisurely route back. So I’m thinking anywhere from 7 to 10 days? Sounds about right.
I am excited and curious to explore this part of the United States on the road. New Hampshire has been on my radar for some time. And to be able to do this with my Mum as my Wingman? Beyond Priceless.
Happy Birthday Momare. You’re right where you ought to be. See you next week.