It has been an interesting day to say the least. 3/29/20 I went to Tori’s house at 10:30 am. My fear was, “How am I going to comfort these kids at 6 feet away?” But, what I found was that they comforted me at just 6 feet away. Here is my story. As I pulled in the kids were out riding their bikes and having a great time. Beautiful smiles and shouts of Hello welcomed me as I proceeded out of my car. I sat myself down on a large rock by the driveway and watched the kids go. Thalia ended up coming and sitting on the driveway just 6 feet away from me. We had the best chat, Tori and Jake left for the hospital and as Thalia and I continued our chat ate an orange and a few fig bars while the boys played Corn Hole. Thalia picked a bouquet of beautiful yellow and purple weeds, I took a picture of her holding them and we sent it to her mom. Next was a trip to the back yard. Thalia disappears into the house and returns with a big plate of Chipotle left overs. She began eating and said this is cold I need to heat it up. I told her the “I think 60 seconds will be plenty of time” and she shouts back “what does that number look like?” I said 6 0 and she said “ok 6 0 6 0 6 0” as she headed into the house. All three kids eating leftovers on the basketball court just 6 feet in front of me as I am sitting in a lawn chair watching how strong they seem. There doesn’t seem to be any fear, or worry. I am thinking that Jake and Tori have done a great job preparing them for her departure. Jake has let me know that he has dropped Tori off at the ER and that they have taken her into the hospital mask on and in a wheelchair and is headed to get Firehouse Subs for all of us for lunch. I can’t even imagine the feelings, thoughts and fears that must have been going through Jake and Tori’s minds as they had to part from one another not knowing if this was going to be the last time that they were going to physically see one another. Such a terrible thing for loved ones and those sick, to go into the hospital alone, and stay alone and talk to the Dr’s alone. But Tori is about the strongest person I know. If anyone can do this and help her family through it, it would be Tori.
Well, now Jake is back and I need to head back home. Saying goodbye to the kids from our 6 foot distance was hard for Thalia, I was talking with Jake and the next thing I knew Thalia had snuck up behind me and hugged my waist about as tight as she should hug. As I began walking to my car Thalia said, “why does my mommy have to stay in the hospital?” I told her that this is the best place to help her get better. That the doctors and nurse will take very good care of her and she will be back at home when she is better. And then she said “Nana, please pray for my mommy.” Oh, my, goodness did my heart just break and oh, how did I want to just run up that driveway and scoop her into my arms. But all I could say and do was, “I am praying and will keep praying until your mommy is better. I love you Thalia.“
