Subbing for an Angel

A few weeks ago, I was talking to my mom, and she mentioned to me that she was going to go into the hospital later that day because she was feeling tired, and she was little worried about her heart.  I didn't think too much about it.  I was sure she would go in, and be fine and be back out in no time at all.

I got a call later that afternoon from my sister.  She let me know that after running some tests, the doctors decided that at the very least, my mom needed a pacemaker, and there could be other complications as well.  I think it surprised us all.  My mom is the glue that holds not only our family, but many in her neighborhood together.  She is very charitable and service oriented, and is constantly doing for others.  As my sister put it, she is "an angel to so many."  As we dealt with the shock of worrying for my mom, we also dealt with the fact that we needed to pick up the slack.

One of the many things my mom does, is she watches my sister's kids so my sister can go to work.  I decided to watch my niece and nephew for a while.  My six year old nephew is autistic, and he mouths everything.  When I have young kids who are at the mouthing stage, I am very careful to keep my floors clean, and free from anything that would hurt them.  I haven't had a mouther in years.  Now, not only was I going to have a mouther, but one who could reach, or climb to, most surfaces in my house.  I was a little stressed about getting my house clean enough.

The first day that I was scheduled to watch the kids, my seven year old niece came over in the morning, and then my dad brought my nephew after lunch when he came home from school.  In the morning, Makenzie and my niece were playing, and getting into things as I was frantically trying to clean my house.  I ended up getting after them, and I told them that this would be a good day to make LESS work for me, not more work.  As I started cleaning again, they began whispering.  They finished their breakfast, and then they went into the kitchen, and washed all the breakfast dishes, and wiped off the counter.

Then, they grabbed some buckets, and went out and picked the tomatoes and cucumbers.  They came inside and made my bed, and cleaned up Makenzie's room.  As I finished vacuuming another part of the house, they pulled out the broom, dustpan, buckets and mops, and  swept and mopped the kitchen floor.  Then after lunch, they folded some of the laundry.

I was amazed with the breakfast dishes, and even more amazed that they continued to work so hard through the entire morning.  It was all my nieces idea, and I thought it was such a thoughtful thing to do.  After they finished working, they played together so well, and they worked hard to include everyone.

I watched my niece and nephew for 4 days, and then my sister's husband was able to work from home to watch the kids for a few weeks.  I have a new appreciation for what my mom and sister do.  I had fun watching them, but my nephew has to be watched every second.  It was sure fun getting to play with him for those 4 days though.  I can't wait to be with his perfect body someday, and be able to talk to him, and find out all the things that go on in that little head.

My mom did end up getting a pacemaker, and with the tests, the doctor said that her heart looked very healthy in every other way.  She is still going like mad.  She does have to keep her arm in a sling so the scar tissue can build up around the pacemaker.  I'm very glad that things worked out the way they did!  Many prayers were answered.