Holiday for Some
Some people call it The Fourth of July, Independence Day, and “firework” day. Typically, this would be a fun period where people celebrate with family and exchange memories; however, I would describe it as one of the worst days of my life. Instead of carrying on with high hopes for the night, I was in shock from the moment I woke up to the moment I fell asleep. Most of that day, and the ones following it, were a blur. I just couldn’t believe that I would ever be sitting in the hospital instead of enjoying the few fireworks my father and I typically shoot from the back porch. That Saturday my life went entirely wrong, but with faith and time, my life turned around.
I received a phone call at 9:00 A.M. on Independence Day. I looked at the caller ID. It exposed a name I did not see too often--Mom. I was expecting her to nag at me for something or just to wish me a happy holiday, but I was not prepared for what she was about to tell me. I could hear the worry and hurt in her voice. Then she started to explain the events that were taking place. A tear trickled down my face. Her words were like whispers; they were muffled and unclear. My grandma was having a heart attack. In fact, she had one for two days. She was not on land because she was on a cruise. They could not get her off the cruise ship that night. She was too far out to be life flighted, and she wouldn’t arrive at the hospital until the next morning. This time multiple tears strung down my face. I bawled.
I rushed home to find my sisters in the living room. I was being a pessimistic--preparing for the worst. My sister, on the other hand, believed in my grandmother’s strength. We all decided to drive down to see her just in case it would be the last time. We had to move quickly because it was a thirteen hour drive. My sister Ashley and I took shifts. She drove then I drove until we came to a green sign that read “Galveston, Texas.” My heart was dropping. We were finally there and were driving on a long road. It was a nice sized town. Some liked to describe it as a little less than average, but I was beginning to find beauty in the the older buildings, empty streets, and small stores.
We searched for the hospital. By this time we were so exhausted that the inability to find the parking lot was hysterical. We cruised forever laughing about how we could not find the parking lot. We eventually just parked at a small grocery store and walked for what felt like hours. When we got inside, the mood instantly changed. Everyone appeared nervous. My grandma was not there yet, so we had to wait anxiously. I glanced over at my mom and she did not look well. She was in pain and felt dizzy. I thought it was because of her hypoglycemia or because of her mother’s condition. I was completely wrong.
My mother went to talk to my grandma when the ambulance finally came. That is the last moment I remember before I found out she was lying in a hospital bed too. This made me sick to my stomach. What was happening? My grandma moved straight to the I.C.U. The next night my mother was lying in the next room. Why was my mother in the I.C.U.? This was serious. All I could think about was losing them both. They were all I could think about. My grandma Tena was the sweetest human being alive, and I’ve definitely had some ups and downs with my mom, but I was not ready for her to vanish completely out of my life. I just had to see them one more time.
The doctor finally allowed us to visit them. I strolled in and grabbed my grandmother’s comforting hand. I swooped her into a big hug; I never wanted to let go. All I could do was cry. She cupped my face and told me how happy she was to see me. She told me how beautiful I was like grandmothers do. This made me more upset. How could this happen to a woman of great faith and love? I looked at her and I knew she could pull through this; she had to do it. I said my goodbyes: “I love you, Grandma.”
She replied back: “I love you too, sweetie. I always will.” I let go of my grandmother’s hand and slipped out of her room.
I stepped into my mother’s room. The atmosphere was different. I did not feel like I belonged there, but I pushed through. My aunt told me my mom was septic. This means she had an infection carrying through her blood. This also meant her organs could shut down quickly. This meant her organs could stop working within days, even hours. I was curious about it, but I didn’t want to ask. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know where to start. Do I give her a hug? Do I start with a speech? Instead, I silently trudged over to the bed and laid next to her. It was like I was five again. I pushed myself under the covers and scooted close to her. I cried myself to sleep. When I woke up the doctors forced me to leave. I wanted to march back in there, but I couldn’t. So I had to wait to tell her I loved her.
I left and didn’t hear about the improvement of their conditions until I was back home in Missouri. They were going to make it. They had to transfer to University Medical Center Brackenridge’s hospital for some check ups and more tests, but that was minor. It was exciting news, but it shocked me. I tried my best to believe and pray and so did my sister Brooke. My sister carried faith with her throughout this entire time. I guess that is what I should do in a situation like this because the faith and time is what made my mom and grandma better. My life is turned around and things are looking great. I have a healthy family and loving friends. I am now looking at my senior year of high school. I am definitely scared it can all change again, but at least I can have high hopes for July 4, 2016. This holiday was for some, but it was a nightmare for me.
I received a phone call at 9:00 A.M. on Independence Day. I looked at the caller ID. It exposed a name I did not see too often--Mom. I was expecting her to nag at me for something or just to wish me a happy holiday, but I was not prepared for what she was about to tell me. I could hear the worry and hurt in her voice. Then she started to explain the events that were taking place. A tear trickled down my face. Her words were like whispers; they were muffled and unclear. My grandma was having a heart attack. In fact, she had one for two days. She was not on land because she was on a cruise. They could not get her off the cruise ship that night. She was too far out to be life flighted, and she wouldn’t arrive at the hospital until the next morning. This time multiple tears strung down my face. I bawled.
I rushed home to find my sisters in the living room. I was being a pessimistic--preparing for the worst. My sister, on the other hand, believed in my grandmother’s strength. We all decided to drive down to see her just in case it would be the last time. We had to move quickly because it was a thirteen hour drive. My sister Ashley and I took shifts. She drove then I drove until we came to a green sign that read “Galveston, Texas.” My heart was dropping. We were finally there and were driving on a long road. It was a nice sized town. Some liked to describe it as a little less than average, but I was beginning to find beauty in the the older buildings, empty streets, and small stores.
We searched for the hospital. By this time we were so exhausted that the inability to find the parking lot was hysterical. We cruised forever laughing about how we could not find the parking lot. We eventually just parked at a small grocery store and walked for what felt like hours. When we got inside, the mood instantly changed. Everyone appeared nervous. My grandma was not there yet, so we had to wait anxiously. I glanced over at my mom and she did not look well. She was in pain and felt dizzy. I thought it was because of her hypoglycemia or because of her mother’s condition. I was completely wrong.
My mother went to talk to my grandma when the ambulance finally came. That is the last moment I remember before I found out she was lying in a hospital bed too. This made me sick to my stomach. What was happening? My grandma moved straight to the I.C.U. The next night my mother was lying in the next room. Why was my mother in the I.C.U.? This was serious. All I could think about was losing them both. They were all I could think about. My grandma Tena was the sweetest human being alive, and I’ve definitely had some ups and downs with my mom, but I was not ready for her to vanish completely out of my life. I just had to see them one more time.
The doctor finally allowed us to visit them. I strolled in and grabbed my grandmother’s comforting hand. I swooped her into a big hug; I never wanted to let go. All I could do was cry. She cupped my face and told me how happy she was to see me. She told me how beautiful I was like grandmothers do. This made me more upset. How could this happen to a woman of great faith and love? I looked at her and I knew she could pull through this; she had to do it. I said my goodbyes: “I love you, Grandma.”
She replied back: “I love you too, sweetie. I always will.” I let go of my grandmother’s hand and slipped out of her room.
I stepped into my mother’s room. The atmosphere was different. I did not feel like I belonged there, but I pushed through. My aunt told me my mom was septic. This means she had an infection carrying through her blood. This also meant her organs could shut down quickly. This meant her organs could stop working within days, even hours. I was curious about it, but I didn’t want to ask. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know where to start. Do I give her a hug? Do I start with a speech? Instead, I silently trudged over to the bed and laid next to her. It was like I was five again. I pushed myself under the covers and scooted close to her. I cried myself to sleep. When I woke up the doctors forced me to leave. I wanted to march back in there, but I couldn’t. So I had to wait to tell her I loved her.
I left and didn’t hear about the improvement of their conditions until I was back home in Missouri. They were going to make it. They had to transfer to University Medical Center Brackenridge’s hospital for some check ups and more tests, but that was minor. It was exciting news, but it shocked me. I tried my best to believe and pray and so did my sister Brooke. My sister carried faith with her throughout this entire time. I guess that is what I should do in a situation like this because the faith and time is what made my mom and grandma better. My life is turned around and things are looking great. I have a healthy family and loving friends. I am now looking at my senior year of high school. I am definitely scared it can all change again, but at least I can have high hopes for July 4, 2016. This holiday was for some, but it was a nightmare for me.