My Strangest New Year's party

Paula and I took her mom to Half Moon Bay early on Dec. 30. We were marveling at how wonderful it is that at age 86, she could still stroll with us and the dog onto Mavericks Beach.

But on the way back, she slipped in a pot hole in the parking lot, breaking two ankle bones and requiring surgery on Dec. 31.  This was not the way she or we had expected to spend New Year's Eve, but Hell, we made the best of it, bringing noise makers, balloons and even a hang up picture of a champagne bottle.

It didn't just cheer us up.  The staff loved it. They were the ones related to working the floors on a night when I'm sure they would have preferred being elsewhere. I tease my mother-in-law often and mercilessly.  But she has an attitude that inspires me. While most people at any age would despair over what happens, and she is not exactly cheery about it, but she's already itching to get out of the hospipital, through rehab and walking on the beach again. What a great attitude.

BTW, there is some history to this.  Back in 1982, when I was single, I couldn't find a date for New Year's Eve. So I took out my appendix.  I was the first appendectomy of the New Year at El Camino Hospital.  But they didn't give me a funny hat.

Comments

[Pat Phelan]

Happy New Year Shel
Please pass on mu regards to Jean and Paula

[David Dalka]

Shel,

Thanks for sharing this story, your mother-in-law looks like a great positive spirit.

Happy New Year.

[Marc Orchant]

Indeed - what a great story. I'll add my wishes for a full and speedy recovery to your mother-in-law. My favorite hospital story is that my daughter was born on Passover (in Presbyterian Hospital) so my parents and I brought the Seder to the hospital to celebrate her arrival and the exodus at the same time. The entire floor staff ended up peeking in, having a glass of grape juice and bit of matzoh and charoset with us.

[Sterling Camden]

My sympathies to your mother-in-law, and hopes for a speedy recovery.