Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012 for me was a remarkably unremarkable day. It started routinely enough. Revelry came at the usual time and there was the “changing of the guard” – or report if you would, as the CNA gave her comments on the night. Tori was in limbo – not quite awake yet not quite asleep and I sat quietly bedside keeping watch until the next caregiver arrived.
And that is where routine ended. Somewhere between leaving for a meeting and arriving at same the world changed. Not earth shattering changes, but ripple effect changes for sure. It was an emotional day – trying to be “present” and professional at this meeting and sitting side by side with a force of humanity – a woman who made such an impression in my life. A woman, who on November 7, 2007 presided over the first parole hearing for the offender who struck my daughter. All the while trying to stay composed I was listening to the most impressive man – a passionate leader who inspires. And, while gravitating from tears to hope, I was distracted by text messages of concern regarding my daughters physical presentation and her pulled g-tube! And…, it wouldn’t be enough for the roller coaster of emotion to end there…heck, it was only 9:45am. I then discovered that the kind officer who held the door for me was the same officer who filmed a mock dui crash I had participated in portraying the mother of a fatality victim several years earlier. It was by far the most raw and emotional experience I have ever had and by 11am I walked out of the Cranston Police Department with a DVD of the event.
Late morning and early afternoon were filled with a barrage of phone calls and a juggle of appointments mostly surrounding Tori and some current and pending issues which needed to be resolved medically. Frustration runs high when it comes to the struggles associated with trying to balance her schedule.
Then it was off to meet with another family and share some supplies and support and some laughs. By that time I was truly missing my little girl and was anxious to get home. Yes, Thursday, November 29, 2012 was a day of mixed emotions. But I may have been wrong about one thing. Looking back I think it was actually an unremarkably remarkable day. And for that I am thankful.
