It’s time to go home.  While the weeks flew by, it feels at the same time that I’ve been here in Wisconsin forever.  Our daughter-in-law Emily is in the throes of dangerously high and hard to control hypertension, and the road to a diagnosis has been filled with slow starts and frustration. Covid has made it difficult (no surprise there), but now, weeks later, she has one more test to confirm hyperaldosteronism and another after that to determine if one or both adrenal glands are overproducing.  This could still take a while. Medications are keeping her blood pressure somewhat stable, but it’s still too high. 

So, during these weeks between final diagnostics and treatment, I’m heading home.  As I pack, I’m pondering my time here.  For all the in-law angst that could have been, and despite the difficult circumstances, it was really an amazing time.  When you live far away from your grandchildren, visits can be challenging.  Trying to cram months of being apart into a few days means fitting in all the activities and playing and talking into a short time, and it can be stressful. This visit, I was there – not to entertain – but to fit into their daily life and keep things as normal as possible for the girls while Mommy rested.  We followed their regular routine, and I just helped with meals, school questions, household maintenance, etc.  It was such a blessing to be able to be there and have this time with them.

Once I get there, I’m taking a few days to lay around and recuperate, and then to take down the Christmas decorations, do laundry, and get back into the swing of things around home.  For now, here’s a laugh at the funny things kids say.

Emma (7):   I am sad that Gigi is leaving tomorrow.
Evelyn (3):  She will come back if Mommy is sick again.
Ellie (10):    Mommy, you need to go to the store and lick some counters.

Love,
Gigi

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. –Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)