I parked in my condo's parking garage, raced to the elevator forgetting half of my belongings in my car in urgency to get to an area that had full phone service. Taking a deep breath while attempting to push the negative from my mind, I dialed.
"Jess", he said as soon as he picked up, "You've got to book that flight. That one Mom talked to you about last night. The deal ends today and she wanted me to remind you."
"Ok" I replied, feeling a bit relieved that this was all he was calling about, but something in the back of my mind told me there was more. See my mom is an angel who does everything to help others before even giving a thought to herself. If she wanted me to book that flight and was able to call she would have called me herself.
"You have to do it, Jess," he said again. "Mom's in intensive care. She's very sick." My heart felt like it had been ripped out. I couldn't understand. I had just talked to her the night before. She was fine aside from what sounded like a chest cold. "The Doctor's say they are hopeful they can reverse it. She's gonna be fine but she needs our prayers."
Naturally I crumbled. I wanted to get on the next flight. My dad said, "Don't do this. She's going to get through this. You go book that flight."
"Tell her I love her." I said with heaving sobs while moments spent hearing her over Skype the night before when she told me how proud she was of me, replayed in my mind. All I wanted was to be next to her. Her, the woman who does for others before she ever gives a second thought about herself. All those reasons that I love her beyond words began flooding my mind and I began to become completely undone at the thought of a world and a life without her in it.
Dad said to book the flight and say prayers. I did. But the feelings bouncing around my core, like electricity attempting to escape with no outlet, drove me nutty all night. I felt completely helpless, not knowing the true scenario and what sort of chances she had of recovering. I got the feeling that my dad was in a bit of shock and perhaps was doing his best not to divulge full details to avoid me becoming frantic. I later found out both were true.
Had my doting father, a wonderful and loving husband to my mother, not had his late start day that morning, my mother would have died. An extreme and vicious case of pneumonia that went septic, poisoning her blood and threatening her vital organs, almost took her from us, but she's a fighter and faithful. She pulled through.
My mom, is such an incredible woman in so many ways and has been such an amazing support to me and my brothers. She steadies me, knocks sense into me with her wise advice, encourages me in all that I do, and motivates me to be the best woman I can be while seeing that there truly are no limits. Through my latest writing endeavors my mother and father have been my biggest supporters, cheering me on with every blog post I write, with every step I take in the publishing process and I would never have the drive and determination to complete this task if I didn't have them as my parents. My mother is a beautiful, talented person with an even more beautiful soul and the most giving nature. I only pray that one day I'll be half the woman she is.
Mother's Day is always a celebration on which I reflect and give thanks to my mother for all of the ways she brightens my life. This year, more than any other, when I say "I love you Mom" it will be more than an acknowledgement of her success in fulfilling a certain role to perfection it will also be a statement with the understanding and realization attached that she is an unwavering part of me and without her there would be a gaping void in my heart and soul that would and could never be mended .
She's getting a bit stronger every day, and I have complete faith that she will be back to her cheerful self in no time. She's receiving wonderful care while in hospital and the doctors and nurses have been unbelievable to both her and my father throughout this hardship.
Everyone be sure to give thanks and love to all the mamas out there!
Please keep my mother in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you,
Jessica Ashley
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