"I've Survived Damn Near Everything"

A year or so ago, a friend of Mum's gave her a lapel button that says:

I'VE SURVIVED DAMN NEAR EVERYTHING!

We found it last week in Mum's jewellery box in the midst of her
Celtic pins, clan brooches, pearls, and Christmas baubles. The button
is now on Mum's bulletin board in her hospital room, and she has worn
it on her "sitting up" clothes.

On the day of Regina's first snow, Janet and Catherine wheeled Isabel
to the window to see all the white on the top of Regina houses. Mum
knows very well that it is mid-November, but the sight of all the
white brings a visual reality to us all as we consider Mum's long
stay in hospital. After Mum went back to bed, she asked for her
letter board.

She spelled out RED TOPS. Mum is weary of blue and green fleece
jackets and is looking for more colour in her life! AND the holiday
season is approaching! So Mum now has new red sweaters and earrings
to cheer us all. On Sunday, Mum asked for her lipstick before two
old friends arrived to share tales about Gillespie (our rural school
district) and Shorthorn (cattle) Events.

As Nancy says, "Some days Mum keeps US going!"

It's rather like being handed HOPE on a platter.