Wishing California and Colorado were one....

My mom had major back surgery yesterday and no matter how strong anyone is, they never want to hear "intubate/ICU/transfusion" in relation to a parent--regardless if you've been told that is probably how the course of surgery will go..anyway...my mom's "4-6 hour surgery" ended up being 12.  I'm not someone to exaggerate and I KNEW she would be fine....however, just something about that "what if".....what if something goes wrong, what if she has an idiot that messes up?  You know, you only get one mom!  Anyway, my entire family is in the Denver area, so i'm the only one "not."  And ...it sucks sometimes...it really sucks.  Yesterday was one of those "suck," days.  There wasn't anything I could "do," and I know it was a long waiting day..but, still, I just wanted to be there and not here.   My sisters and dad were awesome (my dad even had his cell phone ON..that's when you know it's a big event =0)......and they kept me totally in the loop...and that was terrific...I still wanted to be there though.

And, until I got to hear my mom's raspy voice today, I still wondered if she was really "ok."....She is, she's doing much better----she had a fusion and other random nuts and bolts put in her back since she has arthritis and scoliosis and no cartilage left in several discs, so the surgery was a very last resort after many other efforts.  However, she ended up having an clotting disorder they didn't know about, which complicated things.  Everything ended up smooth....and today, finally hearing her voice, I knew she was going to be fine.  I told her I was crying and she told me I wasn't allowed =0.   She has this little saying that she used to say to me when I was little and it is the cutest thing--she always says:  "I love you til the numbers stop, and the numbers never stop.".....

Here are some pictures of my mom!! She'll kill me that i'm doing this--i'm sure she'll hate her hair or something =0.....but it's my blog right? =0.

My mom is the best....she had snacks for me after school while growing up, she gave me m&m's for doing my math flashcards, she made me my very own stocking with my name stitched on it (and she hates sewing), she gives us an ornament every year for our collection, she makes her own cards/jewelry and gives it away even though she could make a fortune selling it, she makes things and helps people out that aren't always all that nice in return, she has a smile for everyone---always, people who meet my mom always ask "does she ever have a bad day?" (sure she does, but she usually chooses to be happy).  She has supported me in every decision i've ever made, she has taught me that sometimes the right thing isn't always the easiest, you start what you finish and you can't sweat the small stuff (even though I try really hard to =0)....she always seems so patient and if I could be a quarter of the mom she has been to me....then, I will have succeeded.  Love you mom--get better soon, you've got some grand kids to chase after!