Teamwork

A couple of recent episodes with Mitch got me thinking about teamwork.

I hear a noise, she starts to panic

He's sick once more, that explains his manic 

I grab a can, Branden grabs a towel

I catch his barf, she pulls his hand from his mouth

I roll him over, she wipes him clean

I catch his fall, when he starts to seize

I turn him to his side, she strokes his hair

She calls 911, I fret the blank stare

She answers the door, I change his shirt

Branden grabs the bucket, EMT's go to work

Four strong men, winch and groan

While the big boy is hauled, out of his home

I ride the ambulance, she drives the car

I give his history, to the EMT so far

I pin him down, she calms his fear

She tries to explain, what he just won't hear

Just another IV, an intermittent BP

Pulse ox, a gown, maybe an EKG

She fills in the doc, I take a short break

She shouts and points, the brown pool he makes

I grab the towels, she holds her nose

Nurse grabs her mask, as the odor grows

I'm not quite done, his hand down the throat

projectile vomit give the floor another coat

I keep on cleaning, she helps but gags

The professionals scatter, leave us the bag

I start to mop, she calls home

We're left to wonder, why we're alone

Finally some drugs, a little too late

She is relieved, I ponder our fate

Six hours later, on our way home

I think of the future, when we're too old

This kid needs a helper, 24/7 care

I pray the right people, will still be there

She tucks him in, I boop his nose

Two minutes later, he seized up and froze 

She starts to cry, I just break down

I wish that forever, we'll be around

It comes to pass, paramedics arrive

twice in one night, their coffers thrive
But he's ok, he cracks a smile
To explain what he gives, would take a while

She finally sleeps, I stare at the dawn

The next day he's fine, like yesterday's gone.

Mom

I lost my Mom to old age on April fool's day of 2012.  She had a multitude of health problems that worsened with age, so I was fortunate she held out to 87.  I have trouble writing about my Mother because everything about her was bonded so close to my soul.  If ever there was an angel walking the earth it was Mom, solidly grounded in reality.  Her entire time on this earth was spent improving the welfare of others.  She practically raised herself after her younger twin sisters robbed the attention of her parents, yet went on to become a registered nurse for 35 years.  Away from work, every minute of her day was dedicated to the well being of my brother, sister and I.  She attended every concert, play, Christmas pageant and graduation all the way through college for each one of us. That smiling face in the crowd.  She rarely ever indulged for herself besides reading mystery books and an occasional golf game.
When the three of us all went our separate ways  I know it slowly broke her heart, and from then on she spent her days worrying about us and clinging to the hope that one or all of us would either move back home or a least visit. When the grand kids came along she slipped back into Motherhood on a moments notice.When her and Dad moved to Colorado it was pretty tough on her, because now the home she had dearly loved in Illinois was forever gone, and her children were scattered about the country.  Fortunately my brother and I and our families made our way to Colorado so things improved for her for many years.  Even my sister lived with her and Dad for a few years. Though it was never the same as having us all in one house all the time I could tell her spirit's were elevated for quite some time.
As Mom's mind slowly deteriorated we had no choice but to become more detached from her personally because small details seemed to confuse her.  She was our built- in nurse and counselor, and now it was time we had to deal with our problems on our own.  By 2012 she still knew who we were but the details of our lives were sketchy.
Mom and Dad were together 56 years, and although they didn't have many common interests, they were tightly bonded by a love I've not seen in many couples.  With her children and grand children finally weened into adulthood there didn't seem to be much to take care of on this earth anymore, so my Mother was taken to heaven to serve a family of billions.  Mom and I had a very close bond, for we had similar physical and emotional attributes.  She gave me the ability to express myself artistically in many ways, and she taught me patience, common sense, moral decency and most of all love.  I will miss her for the rest of my life, yet I know she is always only a prayer or thought away, and her spirit moves me through each and every day.
M