Never Too Old to Need Mom

Since all these surgeries began, Richard and I have been so blessed that our Mom's have been there with us!  Whether it be waiting in the waiting room for hours on end waiting for me to get out of surgery, keeping Mase entertained, the house maintained, our Mom's have been there every step of the way.  Our mom's have seen us both at our worst, when we are tired, crying and broken.  They have also witnessed that our marriage is strong and that we will conquer this battle as a family.  They laugh with us when we feel like laughing and they cry with us when they see us hurting.

Val, my mother-in-law stayed with us several days after my mastectomy.  She was a huge help to both me and Richard, and of course Mase had her wrapped around his sweet little finger.  She was here when we got the cancer call.  I will never forget that.  She was her usual calm, steady and faithful.  She kept Mase busy so Richard and I could have some time to process the weight of the information that we had just received.  She never shuttered when she saw my scarred up body.  Never gave me a disapproving look as I navigated this crisis without estrogen (and admittedly sometimes without grace).  Not once judged me for using the word 'clusterfuck' in my blog... In fact she thought I made it up.  I wish!  

My mom came up to watch Mase for my surgery on Thursday.  She was supposed to leave today.  This morning, she came and laid down in bed with me and held my hand.  The thought of her leaving scared me and I told her I wasn't ready for her to leave yet... So she just looked into my dazed tired eyes and said "then I won't leave yet."  I know she had commitments back home.  I know she had been away from my dad for several days.  She didn't even hesitate to offer to stay longer and that  meant so much to me!

I know both of our mom's have obligations at home, yet put those aside because we weren't ready to let go yet.  One of them have been here since this whole journey started 10 days ago.  I dread the day things return to 'normal' and we don't get one of our mom's here.  They bring so much to our lives just by being the strong, caring, loving, nurturing women they are.  Sure do love you Mom and Val!