It is amazing how life can play little tricks on you without you being aware of the master plan. Two years before the arrival of my Chunky One my husband and I moved to Florida so we could be near another daughter and her little darlings. For clarity sake, the Florida daughter is known as Pet (sibling rivalry nicknamed her) and the mother of my “Chunky Monkey” is known as Short Pants, weird but true non-the-less.
Shorty and her hubs came to visit us in Florida and we knew after they left, that there was no way on earth we would ever get them to come back to live there permanently—not their cup of tea, they just loved the action of Vegas—while Florida is the bingo capitol of the whole wide universe. Slot machines, bingo, slot machines, bingo—hello! This was a no brainer, even for me. It was awful for me when a short time later I found out there would be a new baby (even though I harped for years about the joy of raising pets) and we would be so far apart. Being the feisty little thing that I am I figured I would just have to do a lot of flying; having a son who is a pilot for a major airline certainly has its perks, allowing this constant travel to be doable. So for now all seemed well with the world and I looked forward to the happy day.
It’s emotionally shattering to find out how short-lived happiness and plans for the future can be. The day after my little cutie patootie arrived, and I was making plans for a trip to Vegas to see him, I received a phone call from another daughter (ready for this one? Wooka, yup that’s her nickname) who was living in Texas, informing me that she was in the hospital. “Not to worry,” she said, “just stomach problems.” Her situation started to escalate for the worse quite rapidly, causing me to be on an emotional roller coaster that was spinning out of control. One part of me was scared to death for the one in the hospital, and the other part of me was desperate to see the new baby and to revel in the moment with “Shorty” and Hubs.” I went from joy to dread in a matter of hours.
The decision was made to leave for Texas and help my little wounded bird, then fly on to Las Vegas and celebrate. And that is what I did, not realizing everything in my life was about to change. When I flew out to Texas it was with the intentions of staying for a few weeks and helping “Wooka” who was diagnosed with mono…how bad can that be? Heard of it. Seemed to be a common ailment. Nothing to worry about. Or so I thought. Since that time I have learned to never, ever take anything for granted.
Two days after arriving in Dallas my sweet daughter was back in the hospital with paralysis from the shoulders on down. Originally diagnosed as Guillian-Barre (later changed to Transverse Myelitis) and everything came crashing down around me. I was an emotional wreck. A true basket case. Actually felt like I was going to lose my mind from worry, and the only thing that brought me comfort was the anticipation of seeing my grandson and having something happy to hold on to.
When my daughter was finally home from the hospital and seeming to be stable, I hopped a plane, went to Vegas, held that little bundle of sunshine, and fell forever under his spell. The visit was cut short as I noted in another chapter because my daughter in Texas took a turn for the worse. I will not go into it other than to say she can walk again, but is considered permanently disabled, and now deals with many health issues stemming from something I thought was so common and nondescript. Taught me a lesson. But that is another story. Because of the severity of her problems, I flew back to Florida after being in Las Vegas for about five days, then drove back to Dallas, not knowing I would not be returning to Florida to live.
Because my gentle little bird with the broken wing needed a lot of care and therapy, my tow week stay became permanent. My husband sold the house in Florida and we became (once again) Texans. Still waiting to get a pair of boots I might add. And a hat!
In the Spring of 2004, Shorty, Hubs and Chunky came out to Texas for a visit. The weather was great (for a refreshing change,) the food was great, Broken Wing was able to get around and totally enjoyed seeing her sister and her family; all was fantastic. I took Hubs on some outings and pointed out all the great things about living in the Lone Star State (for instance, all the great bar-b-cue…he just loves his food) and how you pass Texas Long Horn while driving on the parkway (great for the little guy to see, huh? huh?) all the while reminding him that I was not trying to pressure him (wink, wink) into moving here, (even though I was y’alling him to death,) and a great time was had by all.
We celebrated three birthdays and Mother’s Day to end the visit with a bang. Figured we wouldn’t see the little guy for his 1st birthday so we put mine, Shorty and Chunk’s together and had a truly wicked day. Time flew by so quickly and before we realized it, it was time for them to leave. With great sadness and a hole in my heart that only that little boy could fill, I saw them off on their trip back to Las Vegas and was all ready thinking about when I would take a trip out to see them. Figured I better wait a little while so they wouldn’t think I was stalking them. After they left the house seemed so empty and quiet. It is amazing how much joy and laughter a small child can bring into your home. Boy oh boy I missed that kid and he was only gone for a very short time.
A week later the phone rang and my daughter said, “Ma, are ya sitting down? “Nope,” I said. “Ma, sit down,” she ordered. “Can’t make me,” I said. “Ma”—and something in her voice said I had better sit down. “Shoot,” I said. “We’re coming back to Texas to live,” she babbled. “You are kidding me you creep,” I told her. “Hubs loves it out by you,” she laughed, “and wants to come back.” Praise the Lord and pass the mashed potatoes I thought but did not dare say that for fear she would think I had finally lost it. A few weeks later I was on my way to Las Vegas (and a last fling at the slots) to pick up my baby angel and head back to Texas, allowing them the opportunity to pack and gamble and pack and gamble some more before leaving for good. When they arrived back at my house they were greeted with hugs and kisses and a hi y’all.
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