Leaving a Mark

Where did I leave a mark in 2011?


Today, there is no doubt in my mind where I left my mark in 2011. It is in the care that I have afforded to my wife over the past ten or so years, and especially this year. I don't like to brag about things like this. It hurts to think about. It just plain hurts.

Today, after witnessing an overall decline in my dear's health and awareness, which had been partially brought on by a wierd twisting of her leg as she made a transfer from one seat to another, I decided to bring her to the hospital to be checked out. I was encouraged to do this by my son and daughter, and my sister. Could this be a broken or partial fracture that needed real attention? Would inattention be her undoing in life? I acted. I called our Doctor to inform him that I was about to call the ambulance. He said go ahead. I called, and within fifteen minutes, the EMTs and the ambulance was here. They carefully bundled the patient to protect her from the cold and proceeded to the hospital. Considering that it is a 20 mile trip to the hospital, it was astounding that the whole thing from my call to 911 to the time of entry into the ER took less than an hour. Service in the country is not so bad.

At any rate, it has become my life to make the call in these decisions about health care for another person. It is onerous, and challenging, but doing it for one you love adds pain and intense anxiety. My mark has been made in deciding the course of action so another gets the necessary care, and doing this over time.

As a note to this, my wife is okay, resting well, getting care, and will be home for the holidays to enjoy that great tree  (photo  in yesterday's post.) We will have a great time. Perhaps, as I think further about it, my mark is that tree.