My 7 year old niece was here for a few days last week. She is the daughter of my SIL and I tried to be more patient and understanding and calm for all the kids. I thought that my niece should see that people live this way. She is the one I worry about, because of all the name calling, insulting and negativity that goes on in her house. I managed to remain calm and non threatening for her entire stay despite the fact that Josh was so excited to have her here that he pretty much screamed this blood curdling primal beast celebration signal every time he turned around. I deserve a big strong drink. The reason my niece was here is bad. My SIL slipped on some black ice a few weeks ago and shattered her ankle. The x-rays made me nauseous. It was gruesome. She had to wait for over two weeks to have the surgery and finally did it last Wednesday. So, to help lighten the burden on my BIL I offered to take my niece who happened to be on vacation from school.
I was still in my be happy and cheerful and extra patient mode when all my babes and most of their delicious children came over for a big family breakfast on Friday. Unfortunately Kitten , who happens to be very informed and knowledgeable in current events, was down. She kept asking for us to tell her something good. Believe it or not, my little victory at the track wasn't enough to cheer her up. Neither was the good news that B's new shelter dog hadn't bit her kids in the face lately. KItten needed to hear something good in a global sense, and we were completely lame and couldn't come up with a single thing.
Then I brought my niece home and found my SIL to be a total mess. She is in incredible pain and feeling beyond despondent. I tried to talk to my BIL about getting her some psychological help just to see her through this, but he fears they'll hospitalize her, it's that bad. I tried to talk to her about taking it one day at a time and how she, who has had too many surgeries for one person to bear, knows that she has to get through the bad first week and she'll be out of the worst of the pain, blah blah, but she didn't want to hear it, and she just turned her head and sobbed with her eyes closed. I told my BIL to keep her pain killers out of her reach, it is that bad.
When we left to come home Evan, who may or may not have been feeling a bit left out and in need of some serious attention, decided to get on top of the hood of my car and do some kind of hip gyrating butt waving dance for me and Matt, who were sitting in the front seats. We weren't the most appreciative audience, especially since I couldn't lay on the horn to communicate my desire to leave because we were still parked in my SIL's driveway. When Evan finally did get into the car he had attitude. I guess he wanted to illicit more of a reaction from us. Next time I'll stick a 20 into his waistband. At least I know he'll be able to work his way through college.
Then I brought all my kids home, dropped them off, declared Matt in charge, and headed over to the OFH to visit my grandma, who hadn't gotten out of bed all day. She told me she didn't have the energy to dress, or eat, she can't keep her head up, and on and on. Good times people!
But, through it all, I still managed to smile! Don't be surprised if one day I simply go to bed myself, hide under the covers and scream something about not coming out until the rest of the world is smiling too.
I'll join you under the covers. Well maybe in the guest room...although I wouldn't think it was weird if you wanted to cuddle.
Posted by: danelle | April 09, 2007 at 02:06 AM