My Mother's Day!

Dear Mom,

Saturday you competed in your first ever triathlon! B-rad and i were there to cheer you on, early in the morning! I was so proud of you. We both were and are.

Considering a little over a year ago - We almost lost you to a terrible case of pneumonia.

it's hard to think back and see you in that hospital bed, spending Christmas day in the intensive care - all five of us crammed around you trying to be cheerful and festive, hearing your rattling breath barely wheezing in and out of you by help of oxygen machines. Not knowing whether or not this is the end for you. Never realizing how much we all love her and appreciate everything you've ever done for us.

We tried to make your room more festive, but let's be honest, there's only so much you can do with a hospital room. We brought in B-rad's guitar and sang you christmas carols. You smiled weakly and tried not to pass out, and when you did, it was okay. We just kept singing.

I remember walking in to visit you and seeing dad sitting next to you in a chair, reading a book. I realized he had spent most of the day with you, he was still in his work clothes, coming in before his shift - and returning afterwards. It didn't matter to him that you only woke up once in a while to ask for water. What else could he do but be there? I imagine he was probably going crazy, and trying desperately not to show it.

I have to admit, i became achingly aware that you lost your father at about my age. I couldn't imagine what this must have been like for you and for Grandma and for your brothers and sister. I wanted to keep living in ignorant bliss that you and dad will both be around forever and i'll never have to go through losing you. This was a hard thing for me to see, you so frail and weak. a good dose of reality.

We all knew you were very sick. And that the doctors didn't know why you weren't getting better. But we were shocked when dad told us later that year, when you had recovered, that you were very very close to leaving us forever. The doctors had told him he should spend as much time with you because you weren't improving and they didn't know how much longer you could survive this way.

But then, it seemed that in the very last minute, they discovered that the reason you couldn't breathe was because your chest cavity was slowly filling with Pneumonic Fluid, but because it was behind your lungs, they didn't catch it in an x-ray. Once they discovered it, they punctured you immediately and began draining your spent body of the culprit that was crushing your lungs. You drained over 2 litres in the first little bit, and continued draining for sometime afterwards.

In the end, you passed with flying colours! You recovered and we were all relieved, we could all let go of our breaths that we had been collectively holding for the entire holiday. You're not beat yet. And i am so ecstatic that you will be here for the many moments in my life that i want and NEED to share with you. Like the day i'll be able to tell you i'm having a baby, and having you there with me, and getting advice from you, and then not taking it. :D there are so many more memories that you have to be there for. It seems that it's just been in the last few years that we've started to get really close, i'm really glad about that...it'd be lonely with out you.

Maybe your triathlon was a result of this episode, maybe it's a result of you turning 50 next year. But when you told us all you were competing in a traithlon, i was shocked. Imagine what it feels like to see your mother go from a woman who couldn't breathe well enough do it on her own go to someone who Swam, Cycled and RAN and lived to tell the tale!

When i made that sign, the one that said: "My Mom Kicks Your Mom's ACE" i meant it. You totally kicked ass. You rocked, and you rolled!

You competed on my birthday. My birthday has always been very close, if not on, Mother's day. So i had no problem giving my day to you.

It was all totally about you, and coming from me, that says a lot.

I cheered loud and strong, at every event - waving my sign in the air. I wanted everyone around us to know that you kick ass. And that we were so very proud of you.

and yes, mom. I will do this competition with you next year.

You're my Hero.

Love Laura