Why begin the new year with mediocrity? Well, to answer the question as plain as I can, we are not.
To kick start our meander into 2013 we had the awesome pleasure of learning our daughter’s first semester as a full time college student ended with her gaining “A” grades in every class. And since my mother was in town when the good news arrived (her last visit before moving full time to the south American country of Nicaragua) we decided to have an ‘out to dinner’ celebration. Which we did, at a local Japanese-California fusion type restaurant. We had a magnificent time until I looked across the table and over at my son, only to realize with a single hand he was (literally) squeezing a restaurant spoon with such force that the head of the spoon found itself visiting with its tail. My son is strong to be sure, but this action was not customary even to him.
Turns out he was experiencing a significant amount of pain which led me to square up the bill in a hurry and get him home where his pain medication innocently awaited his return. Unfortunately not even prescription narcotics could avert the intensity of his anguish. Mind you, he has been through a lot…brain surgery, eye surgery, kidney stone passing, combat zone activity, etc. And yet, this amount of pain was causing him to have respiratory failure to the point his hands were numb and had turned blue. We watched him attempt to pull his hair out as he writhed on the bathroom floor awaiting the emergency crew who had just been summoned by me, via telephone. We were at a loss, what with no bloody wound to apply compression to. And no apparent heart attack, choking, or drowning in process. Only an abdominal pain so severe that the five of us (Cole included) weren’t sure if this was his last hour. HAPPY NEW YEAR! 😉
So off to the emergency room we went…for further celebration, of course! Thankfully Cole is still with us. He had an intestinal blockage and the ER doctor gave him the necessary shots, IV’s, and nutrients so Cole was able to return home and suffer out the rest of the process here at home. Now the day after our celebratory fiasco, my mom had to get to the airport, my son to his doctor, and my daughter to the store for a couple international necessities (voltage converter and the like). Those errands were accomplished and Esther was packed and ready to go.
Brian and I took Esther up to LAX airport (insisting to Cole he remain at home due to his tenuous circumstance and uncertainty of requiring a second trip to the hospital). We left our young world traveler in the hands of the long security line with the loving words of a TSA agent as her new found guide, “Where is your boarding pass? You need to be prepared!” Esther, in her inexperienced manner, had clipped all of her paperwork together…annoying the agent because she had to rifle through a few pieces to encounter the boarding pass. Brian and I left our little girl smiling anxiously, knowing the next step was unfamiliar for her, but having confidence she would learn even if from her mistakes.
The sea of security, LAX International
Mom’s shaky hand manning the camera, notice the boarding pass!
So she is now in France. She has already experienced a class at the university, the marketplace, the local cuisine, a 16th century apartment, and been introduced to various people. She called us this morning (via Skype) because she said her brain hurt from so much French–meaning, she is truly in an immersion situation and her abilities are being utilized and stretched beyond their present capacity. …mission accomplished! At this moment, with her host family, she is on her way to the coast and tomorrow they will venture into Spain. We couldn’t be more excited for her…and she is truly enjoying every moment of being there. …Touché to the movie, “Taken”…touché!
Now on another front, you might not believe this, but I am still sick! I actually finished my regimen of antibiotics last Friday, but after our trek to the hospital and then the days which followed with quite a lot of activity, I have again landed back on my ass (buttocks, not to be confused with my imaginary mule). What the heck? This is one tough repiratory virus, that is all I can say. And of course, when combating such a fierce microscopic bug, I do recommend staying far away from their known watering hole…the hospital. But like I was going to send my son off in an ambulance with a kiss and well wishes…NOT. So to the watering hole I went, and here I now sit as result.
The good news, 2012 shall not be outdone! We roll into this new year like a band of wild horses who know not which way they are headed; just off and running, as is their custom. Sweet Jesus, can you please keep the minions at bay?! For we just might want to nibble a small crumb of mediocrity for a spell. …I don’t know, it’s just a thought. 🙂
living in loss and gratitude 
The Noise