On Tuesday, long before I got the news about my Mom being admitted to the hospital, I stopped by my friend Heidi’s shop. She is closing the shop, which I can barely talk about here because I’m so sad about it, and is having a sale for the next month. Things were all over the place, some fixtures had already been purchased; it was overwhelming. Heidi’s shop was the first place Don and I went to purchase a few things when we moved into our new home. I got to know Heidi and eventually worked there part-time for a few years. I’ve spent a lot of time there.
There’s not much in our small town and Heidi’s shop was the star.
While I was talking to her, I saw this book and grabbed it. Mom’s name is Shirley and I loved the title. It suits her. Little did I know that Mom was about to be hospitalized.
Thank you for all the prayers and love and light being sent her way. She was in the ER for about 18 hours until a bed was free. She doesn’t have a UTI. The pneumonia is in her lower left lobe. She’s been on a broad spectrum antibiotic but will be put on something geared specifically for her infection shortly. After sleeping and being fairly non-responsive for days, the nurse told me Mom’s eyes were open and she was watching the nurses go about their business. That’s what we know for now.
In a strange twist, Meredith’s mother-in-law was also taken to the ER around the same time because she was having trouble breathing. She’s also been admitted.
So now we wait. I’ve been helping Heidi sort through things and I’m going to help out a bit this morning as she opens the shop for the sale. I’m also under the weather with a sinus thing, so I’m feeling pretty yucky.
I fear wit and sparkling prose are out the window for today.
Happy Thursday.
So relieved to hear that your mom is being taken care of and is on the upswing. Thought, and prayed, about her all day. Poor Meredith, I know from her blog that her brother-in-law passed away the other day and now her mother-in-law and mother are hospitalized. And taking care of little buddy! A full plate but it seems that the women in your family are real fighters!
Sorry to hear of Heidi’s shop closing. She had a real genius for styling her shop as I told her every time I stepped in it. I know it has been hard to keep shops open upstate where we are as tourism has waned. Her shop was something special though and thought of as the heart of your little village. Again, chuffed to hear your mom is getting better. Am staying home today as we are picking up our new car today. My first NEW car. Love to you and your family
It’s closing mostly because she wants to move on, not so much because of the economy. She’s been at the location almost 10 years and it has taken an enormous amount of her time and energy. She’s ready to move on.
Good luck with your new car, Tina!
Very sorry to hear about your mom Claudia – hopefully she is now on the way to recovery. She will definitely be in my prayers – Meredith’s MIL too. This is a bad time of year for pneumonia, especially among the aging population – thankfully dear Shirley is good getting care in the hospital.
Heidi’s closing was sad news, I recall how you have always enjoyed your time there, helping out and of course shopping. If I recall correctly, Jenny and Susie (my special SuzAnna’s Antiques friends here in Raleigh) stopped by there one year!
That’s a gorgeous book cover – interesting how the author’s name included ‘Mrs’.
Hope things improve for you soon dear – and that your sinus condition clears up fast.
Hugs – Mary
I’ve purchased many things from Heidi’s shop over the years and I loved working there. I remember Jenny and Susie stopped in – I was sorry to miss them.
Don’t give up hope. My Daddy had Alzheimer’s and developed aspiration pneumonia. The doctors told us to prepare for the worst, but he pulled through. I will continue to pray for your mom. I am so sorry about the loss of your favorite shop. A beloved shop like that is like an old friend and it’s hard to let go.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
It’s very hard to let go, especially as her shop was really the only shop I frequented in our little town.
I am so relieved to hear they know what is wrong and are addressing it. And am glad she is responsive.
Enjoy your time away, Claudia. I am sorry about your friend’s shop, but I know you will be a help to her.
Thinking of you.
xo
Sheila
Thanks, Sheila.
I’m so glad the doctors have a plan in place for your mom. She will be feeling better soon! Glad she is more alert. And so sorry about Meredith’s MIL. Hope she will be well soon also. I have had two friends with very serious health situations in the last few days. I wonder if the earth went through some sort of debris field of muck on it’s trip around the sun. I’m spending more of my time praying! Also, all the best stores have closed, or are closing. Very sad.
Tana
I know. My brother-in-law lost his brother last week, as well. Too much sadness.
Prayers and best wishes for you and your family.
My Mom’s name was Shirley too….
Nancy
Thank you, Nancy.
So glad to hear your mom is responding to the antibiotics and is more responsive, Claudia! So very sorry to hear your sisters MIL is also hospitalized. Life sure has a way of piling it on.
Be very gentle with yourself.
Sending love and hugs.
Thank you, Sally.
Claudia, Glad things are looking up for your mom. Hope your friend’s mother does well also. That is a sweet book cover. xoxo,Susie
It’s so pretty. I love vintage book covers.
I must say so far this year hasn’t been a good one. Still Spring will come and along with it some happiness I hope. Glad to hear your Mom is responding to treatment and sorry to hear Meredith’s MIL is ill also. So sad about your fav shop closing, its a big loss I can tell. The book cover is lovely and such a special item for you. Continued prayers and big hugs.
Linda
Boy, I have to agree. It’s been terrible so far. Thanks Linda.
I’m sorry to hear of the closing of your friend’s shop… those kind of businesses make a town “homey”. Always sad to see them go.
Prayers for your mother, and for you. –
I’m a big supporter of small businesses and local businesses.
Wow…I remember those books…beautiful ladies on the cover.I am always on the look-out for old books as I am a voracious reader and love to tumble back to my lovely clhildhood.Thoughts and prayers for you and your family…Nidia
Thank you, Nidia.
It sounds like your mom is receiving excellent care at the hospital. Antibiotics are amazing, and once they administer the one that will target your mom’s pneumonia she should make a quick recovery. I’m sorry the shop in your town is closing down. It’s not easy running a small business, and with the economy still quite sluggish it must be even harder than usual.
And big businesses like Walmart drive those mom and pop stores out of business. Which is why I don’t shop there!
I am so sorry to hear all your sad news, you are really going through it, and how awful for Merediths MIL as well, it is all a bit too much. I hope you are better soon and the Moms are too. Big hugs xxx
It is definitely too much, Emma! Thanks.
Continued prayers for blessings for your mom and your sister’s mother in law and for both families. Asking for peace of mind for your dad. Glad you have something outside of the house to occupy your mind for a while. Best of luck to your friend Heidi as she closes one chapter of her life and begins another.
She’s very excited. It’s the rest of us who are sad!
Claudia take care of yourself too…when we forget to do that we get sick. I know as that is how I landed down with shingles 2 months ago.
Trying to rest but I haven’t been sleeping too well lately.
I’m so thankful your mom’s responding and is more alert…always a good sign! Your friend’s shop sounds like it was a great one. Glad you are able to help out…I’m sure Heidi feels the same way! ;)
It’s a good thing for me to do – it gets me out of the house, as well.
That is OK, Claudia you Can not be “on” every single day. you do a darn good job of it as it is!
Go and immerse yourself in “old” it is very good for your soul.
-Judy A-
It is, Judy.
Well goodness! It never rains but it pours does it? I’m so glad that your mom seems to be improving. Sorry one of your favorite stores is going away. And worrying about poor Meredith and her overly full plate right now. I will continue to pray for your family Claudia.
Blessings,
Betsy
Yes, and Meredith’s brother-in-law died suddenly last week, as well. It’s been a very, very tough time.
I’m sorry for your mom’s sickness. I pray she heals quickly. I love shops that are unique. I’m sure it’s heartbreaking to let that go as well.
As far as sinus issues … I’ve had no problems since I began using a sinus rinse (took a few times to adjust to that feeling) three years ago. I won’t go without it.
Thanks, LesleyAnn
So pleased with the news about your Mom. I had not heard about Meredeth’s MIL, I will add her to my prayers.
Sorry to hear about the closing of the shop. I truly feel sad when I hear about a locally owned shop closing. A herald of the times, I fear.
Take care of yourself and Scout. Don will be back to help and all will be better with him there.
It makes me very sad. Meanwhile the megastores with generic merchandise keep putting locally owned shops out of business. Thanks, Regena.
No words of wisdom here. Just know you are in my (& others) thoughts. One of the things I enjoy the best about your blog is that you are real, not “on” all of the time. In the world of blogland honesty can be rare. Warm thoughts for you and yours.
Thank you, Teresa.
Claudia, I can feel it in your words that you are on “over-load”. Please take care of yourself. I’m sure I have said this before, but it is like on the plane when they tell us to remember to use the oxygen mask first on ourselves. Once WE have used it, then we can be of use to others. We are so accustomed to putting others first, it isn’t a role we are comfortable in. Glad to hear your Mom is more aware of her surroundings, and that they have started the antibiotics.
One day at a time.
I am on overload. For sure. Trying to rest but I’ve been a bit sleep deprived lately.
So sorry to hear this. Praying for both Moms and sending hugs to all of you.
Thanks, Carolyn.
So glad to hear that your Mom is hanging in there and doing a little better..Heidi’s shop sounds like the type of sweet little shops that I love to visit and browse in..Best of luck to her..I hope you are feeling better soon..
Thank you, Nancy.
I hope you are getting a little sunshine to help you through all the sadness and worry right now.
Yes, it’s sunny today, Maureen. Cold, but sunny.
I am glad to hear that your mom is responding to treatment and am sorry to hear that Meredith’s mother-in-law had to be hospitalized. Continued prayers for healing as well as prayers for all of you for comfort and peace. I wish all the best for your friend as she closes her shop and moves on to new adventures.
Thank you, Denise.
HI Claudia, glad to hear that your Mom seems to be improving and responding. And, sorry to hear of more woes for Meredith. Your family is dealing with so much right now! And, of course, sorry to hear of your favorite little shop closing. Do take care of yourself and remember that we all are thinking of you and yours and keeping you all in our prayers.
We are on overload, that’s for sure! Thank you.
Sending more prayers upward for Mom and a hug for you. (((Claudia)))
Thank you, Kelly.
So much falling on your shoulders while Don is away. Praying for you and yours. Poor Mere too! Take good care of yourself too with so much stress. Peace.
What a beautiful book title. I am sure your friend appreciates greatly your help. Helping others also helps to take us away from our own troubles. Praying that your Mom feels better soon.
Blessings, Joanne
Hi! Just popping in and want to let you know I am praying for your mom and you and your family. I am, among many things, a dementia care specialist at my day job(artist by night!) so any questions send them my way! here is my agency website http:// http://www.memory-matters.org
Hoping you feel better, soon, Claudia, and that your mom continues to improve. What a beautiful book! And such a wonderful talisman of the love you feel for her. xx