Some days are imprinted on our minds as if they were yesterday. Others blur and fade. And, every now and then, life hands us a combination of both. I’ve noticed that heightened emotions and extreme situations in the same day create a recipe for the kind of day that you’ll never forget with moments that you struggle to remember.
Like what happened to my mom one year ago today. I knew something was awry that morning when she and dad interrupted our usual sleep routine to go to the hospital well before most people wake for the day. It was still dark outside, and (unfortunately) there was a sense of darkness in both of them. Fear. It haunted us that day.
I worried the entire time they were gone, and my worry met its match when they returned. It was about eight hours later, but may as well have been eight months the way I saw it. Nothing could have prepared me for the days that followed.
There is a sound us canines make when we’re in pain. Mom hates it. It’s akin to a screech or a squeal, and it communicates that we are in intensely extreme discomfort. I don’t make it often, but when I do it’s usually because someone stepped on my paw or my tail. And I immediately seek some sort of acknowledgment from the person since I know they couldn’t have meant to hurt me.
Mom was the embodiment of the people version of that sound those few days after surgery. She had something called knee reconstruction surgery, where the doctor apparently grafted her a new ACL, repaired an incredibly shredded MCL and did a repair on a horizontal tear on her meniscus he only does in 5% of cases. Whatever all that means didn’t matter to me.
What did matter was the immediate aftermath, and the painful recovery that followed. I hated every minute of it. Worse yet, I hated to see dad struggle to take care of her and somehow (at the same time) shield her from how afraid he really was. Fear. I know that’s part of the reason mom kept crying out in the night. She was afraid. And so was I. It was disarming for me to see my people, my rocks, seem to be crumbling around me.
Those days, those fearful days, are imprinted on our minds and hearts forever. Yet, with time, they blur and fade. But what I remember most from the heightened emotions is what I am most thankful for today. We got through it. We persevered. And now look at us. Here we are a year later with a little person on the way. Mom’s knee (almost never) bothers her anymore. All of this stands to show – fear is no match for hope.
Wiley's Wisdom 
Aww. Your poor mom. I am glad her knee almost never hurts her anymore. Sending lots of love & purrs from the furry family. =^..^=
Yay for love and purrs! Thank you!
Wiley, Wiley, Wiley….what do I always tell you? Think positive and everything will be ok! I know it is hard to do sometimes, but it does help! My Mommy had a knee boo boo about two years ago, and she thinks that I had something to do with it. What happened was that she went to bed one night, and I slept across her leg the entire night. When she woke up, her knee was huge and she fell to the floor. She had to go to the doctors to get it taken care of. I felt bad, but all is ok now, minus a few days when it hurts a little. Give your Mommy a hug from me and tell her that I have her in my “THOUGHTS”! {{hugs}}
You’re so right. I don’t know why I ever think to doubt your wisdom, dear friend. As an optimist at heart, I don’t particularly enjoy when negativity pokes its way into my days. Speaking of which, it sounds like your Mommy had quite an interesting struggle a couple years ago. I’m relieved everything has worked itself out…as it always seems to do. We just have to have faith – which is so much easier to do with little reminders from loved ones like you!
Lots of love,
Wiles
Glad your mom’s knee is all better! I’m sure you helped dad look after her, too. Much love, The Scottie Mom.
Don’t worry! I did my part in looking after her. I snuggled and cuddled and kept her company while dad went to that place called work. All in a day’s work. 😉
Lots of love,
Wiley
So glad it all came out right in the end! And now, a baby!
It never ceases to amaze me how these things have a way of working themselves out. All that worry and fear? It’s all pointless in the long run. If only we could remember that before those negative emotions set it, hey?
” fear is no match for hope.” So well said and so true, and we see that often only afterwards… Glad it all went well and her knee is ok. Positive outlook and hope is always better!
I know what you mean – that hindsight thing is not one of my favorite things about life. And yet I’m still happy for the relief in knowing and learning from experiences like this. Thank you for your kind words!
Lots of love,
Wiles
I feel your fear in this one for sure, buddy. In July, Mom went off for 6 days to get total knee replacement surgery. I stayed with Victoria who took great care of me and sent Mom pictures of me every day. I felt that same fear and pain before Mom went away. It was SO scary. Happily, she came back in tiptop shape, and now I can barely keep up when we walk. Big difference from when we used to step out the front door and take a few painful steps with the cane. We’re lucky our Moms are so brave. And they’re lucky we’re so brave, too!!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Dear Cupcake,
My thoughts have been with you and your mom since that fateful day in July when she had her surgery. I’m so glad to hear your fears were outlived by your hope, too, as it sounds like you mom has bounced back! As it should be! Especially with a supportive little doggie like you at her side. 🙂
Lots of love to you both,
Wiles
I can certainly sympathise with your poor Mom. I have to have a knee replacement in the next year or so. I have no cartilage left between the knee joints of my right knee due to arthritis so it’s bone grinding on bone. Just as well your Mom had surgery last year and not now when she’s about to bring a new little person into the world. Trying to recover from knee replacement and look after a new baby would be almost impossible. love to you both, Lyn
I am sorry to hear you need such a surgery, dear friend. Though I am happy to report that the aftermath – while tough – is all worth it. You’ll recover and feel so much better! I’m excited for you!
Love to you right back,
Wiles
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Fear is no match for hope.