'The Vacation' is dead as I once knew it

So I am on vacation this week. And it is wonderful not having to rush around to get everything done before I either take Mom to dialysis or head off to work....it's fantastic not having blaring scanners in my tender ears....or being tugged in 19 directions all at once, at least at work!

But I've realized the so-called 'vacation' as I once knew it is dead to me.

It will never again be the same.

Family and friends can flit off to foreign lands and be gone for 9 days or more enjoying the good life. Never again for moi! I can not even get to Tampa, FLA to visit one of my best friend's in the whole wide world for a long weekend!

I am more than halfway through my vacation and have not had one free moment to do all the back-logged stuff that I have been meaning to do over the last 5 years, including cleaning the awfully disgusting Kitchen Floor!

True, I took a night for Petty and we have been to a few Indians' games. But the rest of my days, so far, have consisted of dialysis....and numerous doctors appointments for Mom. Even when we are at the Indians' games, I am 'on call.' Mom is a handful, if you do it right.

Others tell me "oh, how hard could it be caring for you Mother."

Well, true. Mom has come so far from just one year ago. She's amazing and almost back to true form! That zest for life and fiesty-ness has been back for a long time! But it's all in the approach. When I do something, I like to do it RIGHT! Mom is a living human being that deserves to be pampered. Because I, by far, spend the most amount of time with her I know all her nuances--her medicines, when she should take them, how to feel the pulse in her fistula, what foods she is supposed to eat and likes, EVERYTHING! I certainly hope nothing happens to me or else Mom is screwed to the life she should live and is accustomed to living. She's my Mother who gave birth to me, raised me, and has given me an absolutely wonderful life! It's the least I can do to make her life as special as she has made mine!

Don't get me wrong, it has been AMAZING just being able to BE....to spend time with Mom, not rushing off to work, or worrying if I will get to work on time because we are waiting in a doctor's office (I am the designated 'take Mom to a doctor stooge' and spend a few days each week in some doctor's office!). A huge weight is off my back this week.

And the weather, holy cow, I feel like I AM in FLA! I always tell Craig, FLA is a great place to visit but not live because Cleveland IS just as nice from May through October if not later.

I still have 4 and 1/2 days left....and I am confident that at the end of my vacation, regardless of what I have been able to do or not do, to accomplish or again add to my 'TO DO LIST,' I will have gotten a little rest and will cherish the time and events of the week FOREVER!