That's three things now

My mother always used to say things happen in threes. I guess it was superstition, really. But I still think there's something to it. For instance, after I wratched my back before New Year's I got so behind in my work that I thought "please God...just don't let there be a funeral this week" and not 24 hours later the nursing home called to say my mother wouldn't live through the day. She died at 2:30 last Wednesday afternoon, my sister and I by her side. That was the day before some fool ran a red light and smashed into my daughter's car. (She's ok) So on top of the grief and shock and stress we have to fill out virtually every government form there is.

My mom was 91 and the quality of her life was very poor at the end. Nevertheless, it's hard to say goodbye - she was certainly a colourful character. Katie's car is probably a write-off and her arm hurts like hell. So needless to say, the tension in the Christie household is out of control. When that happens, families tend to revert to type. Ya...you know all that spiritual growth and maturity I talk about in my book? Out the window! All my "effective listening" and "meaningful connection" turned into a sharp and bitchy, "shut up Charlie."

The funeral was today; Katie's arm is good enough for her to dance again; she's rented a car thanks to ICBC and our bellies are all full of chicken casserole, made courtesy of one of many loving and caring United Church women. So tomorrow I suck it up and start acting my age again. That means being less reactive, listening, understanding, trying not to project my own "stuff" on other people. It's a life-long-learning process. *sigh* I'm off to bed.

Tomorrow is another day.
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