Home At Last

Yesterday we learned that Mom woke up Sunday night with chest pains and a spike in her blood pressure. The docs wanted to do more tests, so it looked like she'd be spending at least one more night in the hospital. Dad didn't talk about it, but I could tell he was worried. We went for a visit after lunch and stayed for a few hours. During that time, they took her for a CAT scan, but we hadn't received the results before we left. They also tested her blood pressure, and thankfully it was back down to normal.

I'm now at that age when parents are starting to look old, but especially my parents, since they are typically ten years older than my peers'. That being said, my cousins lost their dad last year (my favorite uncle - that loss is still hard to take, especially during baseball season), and one of my best friends lost his dad the year before. I guess I can't complain that my folks are just looking old. Still, it always seems to be a shock when I see them for the first time after being away. Sunday that was seeing my Dad step out of his car when he came to pick me up at the bus stop; yesterday that was seeing my Mom lying in her hospital bed. It hasn't helped that they've both lost weight recently. Because the weight loss was due to illness, they don't look healthier but more shriveled, if that's the right word. Actually, they are now about the age of my grandparents when I first became sentient. By the time I came of a thinking age, my grandparents were already in their 70's, and I thought they were old. Apparently, it's now my folks' turn.

Today I went back to the hospital to pick up Mom. Despite all that worrying, the tests came back fine (although they're still not sure what the chest pains are from - makes you wonder why they let her go), so they discharged her. In the meantime, Dad drove himself up to my sister's so that the two of them could attend my aunt's wake. Anna Melloni was not my real aunt, but she was married to my Dad's childhood friend, so I've known them all my life. Anna was a wonderful person - smart, energetic and fun-loving - and she will be missed. I don't envy my sister going to the wake!


Because of everything going on, I haven't really been following the campaign. Actually, it is my natural inclination to avoid politics; otherwise, the last eight years would've killed me. Anyway, I've already formed my opinion and know I'm going to vote for Obiden, so why keep listening to the same old crap? I don't think there's anything that McPalin could say at this point to make me change my mind. It's not just the fact that I like the Obiden ticket, it's also that I just can't stand the idea of another four years under republican rule - even if the 'pub is a supposed maverick. How can we take the chance? As Prez Clinton reminded us during the Democratic National Convention, the 'pubs had four years with complete control of the presidency and congress, and look what happened. Can you say, "Illegal War"! Besides which, McCain has already promised if given the chance, he will select more supreme court justices in the mold of Scalia and Thomas.

If that were to happen, I'd seriously look at moving to Canada.