You know the scene from the first Inside Out where Joy draws a circle around Sadness and tells her to stay put, then Riley struggles silently trying to hold it together and keep every emotion under control... then when Joy finally lets Sadness have the controls for a minute (causing Riley to feel everything and cry), Riley finally receives the support she needs and is able to feel real joy in that too!?
This weekend has been a lot like that.
When I accidentally made a 4AM phone call to a random woman while researching and trying to get info about the Silverstein Burn Center for Mom's treatment, I knew I was not quite okay. I decided to entrust Mom to God and Dad for that morning and go to LifeGroup -- (she actually got sick and threw up, but everyone survived and nothing catastrophic went wrong). After finally letting myself feel everything from the past week and crying pretty hard on the phone call with Chet (a trusted friend who listened well and responded with decisive compassionate action), I immediately felt better and more aware that I needed to be taking better care of myself. Talking with the LG girls immediately after that was helpful and encouraging. I went home and grabbed some workout clothes before heading back to Mom and Dad's for the night - I took a short walk/jog and listened to some music for the first time in a long while - both really nice and cathartic, even in the crazy summer heat. Movement is medicine. =) I texted with Tiffany and Kristin and took Kristin up on her offer to bring me a Coke icee (yum!) - it was good to see her and the boys for a minute, even though I failed to get a photo with them! I had a good conversation with Mom about all of this, took some time to blog (always a processing outlet), and slept a bit more than usual this morning. I enlisted Kristie's support (Mom's nurse friend who is coming to be with her tomorrow); and Rach talked with a CHA mom who has connections with the Integris Burn Center, and we all feel hopeful about that for better pain management for Mom moving forward - (prayers appreciated).
And last but never least, Chet Lee and Karli Marie made the trip from Tulsa to come see us!! This pic = us at the Agua Fresca stand in Midwest City. It brings me lots of joy that the guy posed with us! ❤
My walk/jog and Mom and Dad's old house
Ashley with the neck fan sneaking some pics at LifeGroup! I really do own other shirts, but this was the main nicer shirt that I brought to Mom and Dad's, so it's in loads of photos from the past 3 days. Alaska already feels very long ago.
Making vegetable beef soup in Mom's crockpot for our dinner tonight! They also brought everything to make ahead and freeze easy meals for sheet-pan chicken fajitas and beef tacos! It was good for my soul to see them and hang out and smell good food cooking in the kitchen...
Tate and Parker stayed with Bill and Melissa (how adorable are they in this pic!?)
But Miss Paige Evelyn made the trip with her parents! =)
Chet was excited about seeing the Agua Fresca stand on their way in, so we made a short trip to visit them (Karli got strawberries & cream; I got pineapple; Chet got pineapple and coconut). Rachael was at the house watching Paige, and she and Dad were both there to help Mom if needed. It was a short drive, but very refreshing!
On our way there, we drove by 9121 so I could show them the house where I grew up (& rant about just how badly the people who moved in after us ruined that house and yard). lol And on our way back, we stopped for them to see Dad's office, which Chet said had an old school vibe that was great and very fitting for Dad!
The bluest eyes. ❤
Mom on a short walk getting a pic with the Wilsons!
Paige looking tired; me feeling that with her!
Tman stopping by to see Mom and catch up with Chet and Karli!
Some leftover bday cake to celebrate Kyndal Faith! lol
The Wilsons and the bedazzled Wilson basketball! Simple things like this bring me stupid amounts of joy! =)
It was really good to see them and feel supported with some healthier and higher protein homemade meal options for Mom as she recovers!
Rach stopped by with J&K after their weekend at Josh's, and Tman and Carter stopped by around the same time (7:30ish) before grabbing dinner together... I know it made Mom happy to see them all together having fun. She mentioned somewhere in there that she felt better than she had all week. I felt the same way getting to catch up with Kristin and the Wilsons for a bit - just a sense of normalcy and support and joy in the midst of a heavy and chaotic week.
The fam again - must change shirts ASAP. lol
Flowers Carter Lee brought for Mamaw!
Kyndal somehow beat all 3 of her older brothers playing basketball, and it was definitely talked about for a few minutes amongst the siblings. I made this collage for FB...
Kyndal: "OMG yes, that's the best post EVER! Two boys crying, one boy jealous, and one girl happy and victorious!" lolol She's hilarious and fun and admirably confident, and I just love it!
So in closing on this memorable week where I've had so much to process and write about, three cheers for authenticity! Let yourself feel what you need to feel and talk/write about it... and let other people support you!!
Make the calls when you need some extra support and connection - maybe the other person will get a lot out of it too!
Praying for a more peaceful week ahead - goodnight!!
❤ ❤ ❤
