'XO'

It's no secret, except to those in denial (me, half the time), that boomers are nudging towards the head of the line with this age thing. Life feels forever in our 20s until we are offered discounts on food and movies, and we look at each other and laugh.

The downside of being in the pre-elderly set means our elders are showing some serious wear. Mom and dad are gone now and most of their friends. My terrifically wonderful aunt and uncle are slowing down but mostly they've existed in a perpetual state of suspended animation, timeless but with gray hair. For my (step)mom Joy, too. Oh, her hearing isn't good, or her eyes, but she is sharp as a whip.

Life has become appreciably fun lately, maybe more precious as we ourselves creep along, or maybe because that long timeline isn't as long as we thought. Recently we began routine visits to carve out time together and it's been nothing short of wonderful. 

The long drive is easy, and along the way I listen to music and news. We do errands together sometimes, or go to her favorite restaurant for lunch, hang with Tony, do some little task that make her life better, talking a blue streak all the while, hugging and reminiscing and laughing.

This past weekend all 105 lbs of her with that upbeat sense of style and keen active mind suffered what appears to be a stroke. She seems generally able to understand and recognize us, but she is unable to speak. Just like that.

The strides in therapies to help stroke victims regain a lot of their former selves will be important to us now. And maybe after the assessment tests and evaluations, her strong spirit will charge down that road. But until then, I hope you will join me in a healing prayer. 

xo, wsm