'Twas the second week in Advent, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, well perhaps maybe a mouse....

The stockings ( & clean bed sheets) were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that my parents would be ready for health care;

My children were juggled from friend to play date,
While Daddy came home from work early and went in late,

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and Dad in his cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the drive there arose such a clatter,
Dad sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The sun on the breast of the 2" sheet of Ice
Having the Ambulance there to take Mom was nice,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a old friend, named Dick, so kind and so dear,

Dick was Dad's driver, so lively and quick,
I knew we should start calling him St. Dick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he chatted, and encouraged, and called Dad by name;

"Now, Get to the hospital, my friend, so we can start fixen!
All that is making you feel like s***zen!

To the top of the porch! Watch your step and do not fall!
Now dash away! to the hospital, dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So the Doctors and nurses give Dad their best, that swell ER crew,
With a daughter running between the rooms of the two!

And then, in a twinkling, I heard from the best
The issues and problems under Dad's vest.

As I did the last dishes, made a bed and a call,
Up the stairs to the front door was St. Dick, so tall!

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his car trunk is where all trash for curbside pickup was put;

A bundle of dishes from the meal he had brought, he had flung on his back,
And he looked like he needed a massage for his back.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the 5 o'clock shadow was beginning to show;

The time and the effort we had spent fussing with my parents,
And the dedication of the hospital staff apparent;

Dad has a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughs like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, he is a jolly old self,
And I laughed because otherwise I'd cry, in spite of myself;

Mom is a friendly, loving and kind lady with MS,
We will get them both healthy and out of this mess;

I spoke not a word, but sang Christmas carols up the highway,
And made it home for the question from final Jeopardy,

And snuggling with my children, giving kisses and hugs,
And giving the last tuck and warnings of bugs;

I made a few calls, letting family know the report,
And I lay down in my bed that I built like a fort.

But I heard my Dear Ed exclaim, as my eyelids blocked out sight,
"We all missed you, Ruth, sleep well and good-night."

So- both of them are in the hospital (the poem is not exactly how it happened, but close enough and if I did not keep laughing, I am sure that I would be crying.)

that is great news. Dad's issues are heart (40 beats per minute and wicked high blood pressure) and lung (fluid, crackles and Pneumonia. After she spends 3 days at the hospital, Mom is getting PT/ot and a rehab vacation!

thanks for all your prayers! I really appreciate it.
now to doing my home & family's cleaning and laundry.

six stars

So glad to hear they are receiving the medical attention that they need.
Your folks are so lucky to have you near.
St. Dick sounds like a great friend to have around, too!


We are keeping all of your family in our thoughts.
May the holiday season continue in the positive forward direction it has taken.

be well, Ruth!
lorax and MC

oh- knowing that my boxing friends had my back gave me strength. (I never said to Dad that all these boxing friends were 'letterboxing' friends, but that little detail should not matter!)

thanks!
SS

Praise God that your dad is going to get the attention he needs ... and in such a bizarre way! I hope that things continue to look up for you and them. God bless!
s of the peas

really a huge thank you to everyone who had a prayer or thought about my situation the past week or so.

six stars

I celebrate your sense of humor!

And, I celebrate that your dad accepted the help he needs. May God speed healing on to both of them.

whoops, I repsonded to the other first, not realizing this post was here.
Wow! you are clever with the poetry,
amazing!
May you all have a peaceful Christmas.
Continuing to pray for them.

Blessings,
Deborah

Thanks, I am sure that some of the rhymes were corney at best, but it helped to diffuse the feelings and put them to work for good!
thanks and keep praying , please, as neither of them is really out of the woods yet! They both have long roads and there will be bumps along the way. Any prayers are appreciated.
God Bless you all this Christmas Holy Day season!
six stars