Trying

Mom is trying: It's been weeks now since the last time we couldn't visit her. Every day she's doing what is required, sometimes more. We have had several meetings lately to talk about what it will take to get Mom out of the care center. Their insurance will run out for her this week and she's not ready yet to come home or even transition to an assisted living facility. Right now we're figuring out how much better she can get and in what time frame so we can make some provisions for her care. It's been really challenging -- for all of us -- but Mom is hanging in there and working hard.

I've been having a trying time: Mi vida loca has been in full swing. In the last month we've had so much company (not the least of which was my goofball nephew on leave from Iraq) and so much to do (with Dad, Mom, personally...) I have been like the proverbial chicken sans head. I'll confess I've been pretty low and not dealing with the challenges particularly well. But I'm hoping that it's just a sign that things are beginning to transition. Something needs to change soon -- for the whole family. It's time for the next phase of this journey.

On a break from making the world safe

for democracy.