Care is in capable hands

Here we go again.
My mother has had a relatively good year. All of her many health problems have been brought under control. I haven’t had to spend any nights on her couch worrying about her like I did so often last fall and winter. That is about to change.
She seems to have developed what everyone thinks is a harmless bump on the back of her shoulder. She has an appointment to see a surgeon at the end of the month. I assume that appointment will lead to a series of tests.
There are always tests. Nothing is ever so simple that it can be taken care of in one visit. Along with tests, there will be worrying and waiting for results. After all is said and done, I am hoping that we will have been worried about nothing.
The problem is that this time I can’t leave home to spend endless days with her. There are things at home demanding my attention. There is nobody to take my place if I leave. My mother has other people who are perfectly capable of taking care of her. I have to rely on them to do what is best. Still, I feel guilty at not being there to be her advocate.
I have been trying to get all of my own scheduled maintenance completed as soon as I can. I had the yearly squash and smash done on my chest last week. Thankfully, it didn’t hurt but I treated myself to a post-smash chocolate bar just the same. This week I have dates with both the dentist and the eye doctor. I am heeding the warning to take care of myself first, so that when the need arises, and it will, I can then devote my energy to taking care of my loved ones.
In addition to performing routine upkeep on my aging body, I have finally begun cleaning out the stray plants that Mother Nature has donated to my landscape. This includes removing the airy Queen Anne’s lace from the flowerbeds. The naked lilies are blooming early this year, their appearance a tangible reminder that the lazy days of summer will soon change to the crisp days of fall. Even the unreliable Internet is compelling me to get my ducks in a row with warnings of a polar vortex due to hit next month. I may not believe in weather forecasts, but the sense of urgency and unease remains.
Another indication that summer is almost over is a series of pictures I received of the second annual Midsummer’s Ball held at my daughter’s house. This one was a masquerade, complete with feathery masks. It seems that granddaughter Emma no longer wears dresses and obtaining proper attire for the ball was a challenge. They finally agreed on an acceptable outfit. I have yet to see photos of it.
After all was said and done, a good time was had by all, even if they did have to dress up and wear masks. I haven’t heard yet if the children guzzled soft drinks out of wine glasses like they did last year or if the little boys were once again caught eating chocolate under the table.
Sometimes I am amazed at the memories my daughter is giving her children. How different they will be from the memories I have of my own childhood. I am lost in the wonder of it all.
Soon enough I am brought back to reality. I mentally run down the list of things that still need to be done. I decide I don’t need to contact any of the people who care for my mom as I have talked to all of them at least once last week.
I pray that the bump on her shoulder is as harmless as everyone tells me it is. I hope that the problems keeping me at home are equally minor. I will continue to prepare for whatever will happen, knowing full well that I have no way of predicting the future.
Change is coming, but for now it is still hot and sunny summer. And I have a lot to do.