I Thought My Mom Died

I had quite the Monday - Memorial Day. I truly believed my mom had died. I will let you know right now she is alive and...well....

I took a call around 2pm. I was just about to put the burgers on the grill. It was dad. Now let me tell you a little something about my dad that may ring a bell with yours. My father does NOT call. Mom calls, and hands the phone to him. I swear to God, I don't even know if he knows how the phone works. Anway...

Dad called and I knew instantly something was wrong...and I knew it was mom.

He could barely speak...his voice was cracking, he could not breath...it was terrible. I asked if it was mom - he said yes. She took a nap early in the day and 4 hours later was still not up. He was scared and didn't know what to do. I told him to call 911 immediately. He hemmed and hawed at the thought. He wasn't making much sense. I again repeated to hang up with me and call 911!!

Poor dad. I have never heard him like this. It scared me. I was convinced mom had passed in her sleep and he was afraid to go look. I was completely flipped out. I called my brother - I called Meredith.

Yes, Meredith Manning. I called because I had already convinced myself that mom had died and I would have to fly out to Idaho to save my father...who was a puddle. Meredith could not have been nicer, more caring and just damn lovely. Thank you Meredith.

I called my dad back to make sure that he called 911.

Mom answered the phone:

"Hello?"

"Mom?"

"Hi honey."

"Mom! You're alive! Are you okay?"

"Yes sweetie pie."

"Dad is completely flipped out! He is really worried about you."

"I know honey...bless his heart. I woke up when I heard him on the phone with you."

My mom is not well, and I hope for her that she passes quietly in her sleep. We talked a little about that. I told her that all we want is for her to be comfortable. She is...she says. But she is not well, and even though this was a false alarm (thank God!) one day I will get that call - and it will not be a drill.

Ya know...I don't know if I'm quite ready to say goodbye to Lucy Voornas. I'm grateful I don't have to today.