My Mom

Unfortunately, something always gets to you because none of us can get out of this world alive. Dearly Demented Mom’s stint in her left leg has failed and, at 91, surgery for her is no longer an option. Gangrene has set into her left foot and there is nothing to be done. Soon the infection will hit her blood stream and it will be a matter of hours. Since she has no feeling in her foot, she is in no pain and doesn’t have to be drugged out. That is a good thing.

I’m still getting her up everyday, feeding her, and she’s enjoying her Murder, She Wrote reruns. Other than all the hospice activity around her – which I think might make her a bit suspicious – she is oblivious to her demise that will come within the next few weeks.

She if fine. I am not. Sometimes it’s very difficult to be funny.

I will take her back to Dallas for burial next to my Daddy and my husband. My cousin Marye Jane, who’s husband is a retired Major General, has assured me that we will have a full blown military service for this wonderful, trail blazing woman who enlisted on the GI bill, served during World War II, got her government provided college education and re-enlisted for the Korean War. She deserves all those honors as there were not many women back in the 40’s and 50’s who actively served their country.

As a side note, don’t be scared of government run health care. The VA has been incredible through the years taking care of her, all her medical records are computerized and they have done everything possible to give her fantastic medical services. I cannot speak highly enough of our VA system.

I am who I am because of this strong woman and I will miss her very badly when she is gone. I guess the bittersweet part of all this is I was an only child who was lucky enough to have had the two best parents in the world. I love them both deeply so it makes their deaths that much sadder. Daddy’s been gone since 1986, but Dearly Demented Mom has just kept keeping on. Sorta like the Energizer Bunny. Thought she’d live forever. But she just can’t.

Wish I felt like this

Sometimes it’s hard to be funny. Thanks for listening.

Trying to spread laughter throughout the world…one chuckle at a time.

Mikie Baker
www.mikiebaker.com