Sick Day

 Unfortunately my Mom's fracture has not healed as much as we would like, she she is in a brace for at least another four weeks. On a positive side, the brace is jointed so she can now bend her knee as she ambulates around the house. I know that she is miserable, but hopefully the new brace will make her confinement more tolerable. 

Yesterday I woke up early, helped put on my Mom's new brace and headed back to WV for work. It was a long day made longer by an emerging cold. By the time I finished with my final student I was dragging and my fever was spiking.  

It looks like today is my first sick day. 

Wonky Schedule

 So far my leg has been adjusting well to my return to work schedule, although the assessment may not be accurate. My schedule has been stacked with meetings, which means I have been sitting a lot when usually I would be walking with my students. Spoiler alert- I really miss walking with my students. 

Today is going to be wonky because I'm driving to my Mom's after work to take her for her leg check-up. Because I don't like to drive at night, I'll be staying at her house tonight and leaving early to get back for my first student on Friday. Thankfully Robby will be home tomorrow morning to make sure that Timmy is awake and ready for school. 

It's been nearly 9 weeks since my Mom broke her leg. While she has been a trooper, I know that the brace is becoming a frustration. We are really hoping that she is cleared to begin PT. Once she leaves the "wait to heal" phase and enters the "work for it" stage, I know that she will be in a much better headspace. It's always easier when you are actively working towards a goal. 

 

Fingers crossed for a good doctor report! 

Monument

Over the holiday my Mom, sister and I started to investigate retirement property for my brother in her local cemetery.  Since Jae's was shot and killed by Officer John Ellen of Travis County Texas, his ashes have resided in my Mom's closet. With the two year anniversary of him being gunned down while blind and in a wheelchair quickly approaching, we are feeling ready to lay him to rest. I think we all need a proper place to go and mourn Jae.

Shopping for cemetery plots is an odd experience and one which I am not eager to repeat. After looking at the cemetery, both my sister and my mom have decided that they would also like to rest there when the time comes. I suppose it will make it easier having everybody together, but the thought unnerves me.

Of course, the process of shopping for plots brought my own mortality to mind. Where do I want to be buried? I don't know. I really don't care. I figure that Scott and/or the boys can make that decision when the time comes. 

 I've long admired the monuments erected throughout Europe. Privately and in the inner recesses of my dreams, I suppose that I still haven't abandoned my aspirations of achieving something so monumental for society that a monument is erected in my honor in a public square when I die. On a whim I asked AI to generate a rendering.  It made me chuckle, so I hope it makes you smile too. I think I look pretty good in marble!

 And completely unrelated, but since this is my blog and I know you're reading...  

 

 

Ouch

 After a week of hobbling around on a sore stump, my leg is finally healed and comfortable. (Or, as comfortable as I am going to be with a broken foot.) Ambulating last week was laborious and painful. Each step was exhausting as it stressed other muscle groups in order to off load the weight from my sores. It took several days of not walking and lots of blister care wraps to get my leg healed and ready to return to work this week.

Is my leg ready? It is more comfortable than it was when I entered our winter break, but I am definitely not cozy. I am hoping that it is healed enough that my walking won't cause more damage and that I will continue to improve. I'm out of time, so fingers crossed the skin holds!

Today everybody returns to school except for Robby, who has a few more weeks at home before beginning his next semester. Timmy voiced his obligatory complaints about returning to class but I also know that he has really missed his friends. The morning wake up will probably be a little shocking for his system, but I expect him to resume his school schedule without much issue. 

It's hard to believe that winter break has come and gone, but I'm ready to get back at it. I've missed my students and my sense of purpose. Have a great day, and I'll see you tomorrow!