Yesterday was a downright terrible day. My mom had surgery and went into cardiac arrest. She’s ok now, but was diagnosed with something called “broken heart syndrome” (also called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takotsubo_cardiomyopathy.) So last night, the nurse was in the room talking to my mom about broken heart syndrome, which is often brought on by emotional distress. As she lifted my mom’s arm to change her IV, she saw this: blood in a perfect little unbroken heart. My dad has requested that he get to keep the linen, and views it as a sign that everything is going to be ok. I like to agree. It’s no picture of the Pope Francis, the Virgin Mary, or Grilled Cheesus, but I like this even more. Here’s to healing and being well, from one heart to another.
Pop-upView Separately

Yesterday was a downright terrible day. My mom had surgery and went into cardiac arrest. She’s ok now, but was diagnosed with something called “broken heart syndrome” (also called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takotsubo_cardiomyopathy.)

So last night, the nurse was in the room talking to my mom about broken heart syndrome, which is often brought on by emotional distress. As she lifted my mom’s arm to change her IV, she saw this: blood in a perfect little unbroken heart.

My dad has requested that he get to keep the linen, and views it as a sign that everything is going to be ok. I like to agree.

It’s no picture of the Pope Francis, the Virgin Mary, or Grilled Cheesus, but I like this even more.

Here’s to healing and being well, from one heart to another.

Spent the last week with these two and their dad in Waikiki. Ah, paradise. I turned 40 while I was there, and while I would hardly call THAT paradise, I can think of far worse places to do it.

Highlights:

My husband told my five-year-old that the (regularly scheduled) Friday night fireworks were in honor of my birthday. He was so sure this was the case, and so pleased that such a large crowd had gathered.

My three-year-old was outgoing and personable, meeting a girl named Milan from Oklahoma, and a five-year-old named Ana from Japan. This line melted my heart: “Look, mom! There is a new friend I can meet!” I hope that stays forever. (He adopted the Japanese family as his own. They couldn’t communicate, but he was so excited to spend hours in the sand with them.)

My husband arranged a taxi to Aiea to take me to Farrell’s for my birthday. As a kid, Farrell’s was my favorite place to celebrate a birthday… the drum, the ice cream, the candy. It was $60 each way, but nonetheless, we celebrated my 40th birthday surrounded by nostalgia and ice cream at a mall in Aiea. (And, I must say, my BBQ pork sandwich was surprisingly tasty.)

Hawaii is so expensive. I always forget. Breakfast for the four of us at our hotel was like $70… and that’s with the youngest free. But, bonus: I used points for our stay (free!) and we were upgraded to the Rainbow tower. While Steve McGarrett from “Hawaii Five-O” was nowhere to be found (sigh), we were dorky enough to enjoy retracing the show’s steps in Honolulu. I even drank a fruity drink called the Hawaii Five-0 (it was quite good.)

Back to work tomorrow. Sigh.

Some quality family time and a much-needed vacation occurred this weekend. We headed over to East Lake Resort in Central Oregon for time in a “rustic” (I think that is the right word for it—or I can call a spade a spade and just call it “old”) cabin with a beautiful view. Besides one storm, we had great weather, awesome s’mores, napless afternoons, and one-room sleeping arrangements (wow, my kid talks a lot in his sleep.)

Tonight my family got together for a very rare gathering. I saw my aunt and cousin for the first time in probably a decade, my dad and stepmom (it had been a long while) and my older half-sister (it had been nearly three years.) What makes all this worse: we live within three hours of each other (and some of us, only 20 minutes from each other). Glad we actually did it instead of just talking about how we should. The boys enjoyed getting to know their cousin and extended family, and the amazing weather was the perfect backdrop.

I got my babyhood back, thanks to Facebook.

I recently reconnected with a cousin on Facebook. She mentioned that she had some old photos that she wanted to send my way, and sure enough, in the mail today was a treasure trove of me. Photos I never knew existed. Photos of a life before divorce, death and dysfunction (well, I am sure that last thing existed, but what did I care… I was a blissful toddler.) It kind of took my breath away. Some have aged or corroded with time (haven’t we all), but I love the fact that I have these memories I didn’t realize I had… a few of people whom I remember more from photos than from real life, displayed in perfect little rounded-edge or Polaroid fashion. What an amazing gift!