My Sister

Those of you who have been with me a while will recall that one of my sisters had a stroke a few years ago. She has been in a nursing home for about three years now. She was at home for a couple of years before that.

I had been talking to her on the phone regularly once she was able to speak coherently again.  It seemed to cheer her and it certainly made me feel better.

Then suddenly her phone was disconnected. I called her husband right away and there was never an answer. I managed to get through to her son (my nephew) and he said they were planning to get her phone reconnected as soon as possible.

Her husband is retired. He has diabetes and many of the problems that accompany it. My nephew also has some severe health problems. He spends a lot of time in the hospital too. The money just was not there.

I would have sent it but my money is tight too. Our whole family is not wealthy.

Needless to say I was extremely happy when she called me today. Her husband has a new number for his phone. They are not able to get her another one yet.

She has a hard time with the cell phone because it is so small. Her left side is still paralized and she has trouble holdong small items. But we had a really good conversation.

She invited me to go with her and her husband to Fiji in a couple of weeks. Fiji is her favorite of all the places she has ever been. I finally told her I would consider it. I know she cannot go anywhere with her condition.

As we always do we began to reminisce. You know how it goes. Remember when...? It was so funny when... That sort of thing.

Her husband is there with her every afternoon. She is so fortunate. Usually the spouse visits evert day at first then things happen and they miss a day here and there. Then they visit once in a while. Finally the visits are few and far between if ever.

Her son visits every day too.  He would be lost without his mother. The only problem is that he is in and out of the hospital with his condition. She worries about him.

I got to tell her about my adventure. I was coming up the front steps into the house. I lost my balance and fell right off the porch!

As usual I landed right on my face.

My son came running to help me up and make sure I was not hurt. Except for a few scrapes and a few sore places I am fine. I guess it is official; I am old.  So I made my sister laugh.

At the end of our conversation her husband asked to speak to me. I think he went into the hall. He proceeded to tell me that they are not really going to Fiji. And that my sister's mind tends to wander. I told him I knew that and he did not need to worry. I will not make him buy me a ticket to Fiji.

The reason I wrote this is to update my sister's story. Now I can breathe easier because I finally am able to talk to her again.