Yes, Yes, Stress

Ah stress ... I haven't missed you!!  Really, I haven't!!  But I will handle you, as usual!!

I am not going to California today, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the 10" of snow on the ground (and the storm has only just begun).  I am seriously bummed, but family comes first ... Always!!

Last night, as I was checking the weather and airport statuses for my trip, my sister, brother and I received a mass text from Mom.  (you really gotta love how my family communicates!!  but hey, at least we communicate!!)  The text said that, "unbeknownst to her" (yes, direct quote) Dad had been having minor chest pains for a few days.  Really??  And he didn't tell anyone??  Noooooo!!  (duh!!)  She got him in to the doctor's office, where they were told to head on over to the hospital to be admitted.  The doc wanted to keep an eye on him overnight.  (At this point, Dad's biggest concern was what the CU/Oregon St. score was ... and having a beer.)  They will be running tests on him today to determine the cause and the prognosis.  (side note: I just received an email from him saying "good morning."  that's all.  nothing else.  poor guy is lonely, bored, and trapped ... not a good combo for my old man!!)

Houdini freaked out, for lack of a better term (he's kind of a drama king, but we still love him), and drove from Denver to our local hospital last night ... in the snow storm.  The Bombshell and I traded texts for the better part the night, absolutely not amazed in the least that Dad kept this to himself.  But she was ready to hop in the car and start driving from KC ... until we checked road conditions along I-70.  It is so hard to have her so far away and separated by a storm!!  She and I have learned how to tag-team the family over the years and without her, I have no one with whom I can tag or vent to without explanation.  Needless to say, I am charging my iPhone to full capacity right now, ready to update her ... and the rest of the praying masses.

Let's take a different perspective for a minute ... This is supposed to be the biggest snow storm of the millennium, dumping anywhere from 12"-24" of snow along the front range.  I have already mentioned that I've been feeling it in my bones for days, and now the cold is trying to cause a skin flare.  Aaaaaand my dad is in the hospital.  But I will keep fighting, keep persevering, and continue to be present for my family.  Warning: when this storm and family stress have subsided, I'm gonna collapse.  It's just how I operate.  I will push and push and push myself until the stress wanes, and as soon as I let my guard down for 1 minute, the pain will take over and force me to deal with it.  I'll be ready for it, but my "team" will be in for a roller coaster ride of snarky patheticness.

I have faith that Dad will be ok and Houdini will chill out.  I have faith that the Bombshell will do everything in her power to try to get here, but will be denied travel by the Skank.  I also have faith that Mom will be Mom and her strength will resonate thru all of us.  Time for me to submerge myself under the razor sharp pelts of the shower so I can be there for my fam!!  HAPPY SNOW DAY!!  (meh!!)