Mom playing the conga drum on Jan 1, 2014.
Mom playing the cajon drum on Jan 1, 2014
I love these pictures of my mother, Alberta York, playing the drums at our friends, Mary and Terry Schultz’ house in Santo Domingo on New Year’s Day. (Mom had been with me in the DR since mid November.) I would be surprised if Mom had ever even thought about taking a drum lesson in any of her 81 years. And yet, when Terry suggested she might want to try, she jumped at the chance.
She seemed to actually have some natural talent on the box drum (cajon.) My goodness we all laughed that day. So thankful that Mary captured these pictures.
In just a moment so many things can change, can’t they? At 2:30 AM in the morning of January 6, 2014 my mother awakened to use the bathroom and somehow fell and hit her head on the bathroom ceramic. We were able to quickly get her to an emergency room where it was discovered that she had a subdural hematoma and would need an immediate operation.
The first operation seemed to be successful and the neurosurgeon told me that he was expecting a complete recovery. During the night another subdural hematoma developed and a second operation was necessary. Mom has never recovered from the second surgery.
After two weeks in intensive care in Santo Domingo, we flew in an air ambulance to Sarasota, FL with the hopes of neurological rehabilitation. After two weeks in Sarasota, we were told that Mom was not alert enough for rehab, that the prognosis did not look at all promising, and it was suggested that she be moved to a long-term care facility. At that point we again flew by air ambulance, this time to Clark County Nursing Home in our hometown of Kahoka, MO.
I stayed with Mom in Kahoka for about three weeks until it seemed that she was stable and I became convinced that there was nothing else I could do for her. Four of my siblings live within a few minutes of Kahoka and two others only live four hours away. Many of Mom’s friends were dropping by to visit her and even to read to her, so as tough as it was, it seemed it was time for me to return to the village that Mom had come to love as much as I do.
That was a very concise recounting of January through early March. As you can perhaps imagine, this has been and continues in some ways to be a very traumatic period in my life. Although I’m back in the DR, I often find that my heart and mind are divided. There are thousands of things to be thankful for in this experience, and perhaps I’ll share those in a future blog, but one that stands out is how thankful I am that Mom’s accident happened after she had been with me for awhile. She went everywhere with me and soon won the hearts of those she met. My women in the village are grieving with me with that “Our Mamacita” is now so disabled. I’m constantly encountering someone at church, in the neighbourhood or grocery store who asks about her. Even the exterminator calls to check to see if there is any change in Mom’s condition. And of course, my other dear ex-pat friends are a huge support. So although it was so hard to leave Mom there, I am thankful to be surrounded by others who know her and love her as well.
I’m so thankful that I had the chance to be with Mom during her last fully alert and mobile days. I’m so thankful that she felt so fulfilled and loved on here. Just a day or so before the accident she told me, “I’ve had the time of my life these last few weeks.”
Prayers are with you, your family, and your dear Mom. I understand the “divided” feeling. As I watch current events unfold in the world, I am convinced that it will not be long until Jesus returs, and we will all be together with Him. No more duality! Even so come, Lord Jesus!
Thanks, Mindy!
Dear Ina,
Thank you so very much for the update.
God brings you and your Mother to mind often.
I thank God for your courage and strength as you walk with God through this traumatic time.
Blessings
Gloria
I wouldn’t have the strength and courage if I didn’t believe that God somehow has this all in control!
Ina, so sorry to hear of your Mom’s status – what a great privilege for you and her having her at the village prior to the fall. Looking forward to seeing you the last week of April. God bless, Bill
Thanks, Bill! I look forward to seeing you and the NH group in the DR soon!
Ina, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom, but rejoicing with you that you had that special time to spend with your mom – that was a God-given time you had with her which will remain with you forever. I love the picture you posted of her! I will continue to pray for you and for your mom.
Much love & blessings to you. Susan Grove
Thanks so much, Susan! I too, rejoice in the gift of having Mom with me here in the DR!
Hi Ina,
We are sorry to hear of your Mom’s accident and its aftermath. We’re glad you had a special time with her beforehand, with memories to treasure and a community full of “family” concerned about her well being and yours. God bless you as you continue to serve Him.
Tim and Debbie Bishop
Oh Ina, how sorry we are for your mom’s trials and yours as well. What a blessing however, that you had such a wonderful time together. Moms are so very precious!! You both are in our prayers.
Ina, my heart aches for you. We pray for you often and know that this is a very difficult season. God is faithful, always. I’m humbled by your faith and the way you serve the Lord. Praying for you and your family.
Micah 6:8
God gave those Mom’s a very special place in our hearts!! So glad you had quality time with her before the accident! Prayers are taking flight from central MO. Love You Nancy
Ina, I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s accident, but I am happy that you had a season of joy with her before it happened. You used the word “traumatic” to describe what you’ve experienced, and I think that hits the nail on the head. Both of you have been through a trauma — hers physical, yours emotional. I am praying for both of you to know God’s healing love even through the trauma.
Ina, We are so glad you had some wonderful times with your mom.
What a beautiful smile and what memories you have of her.
We will continue to keep you and your mom in our prayers.
Ina, sorry to hear about your mom ,but God was gracious to allow you to spend the special time that you did with your mom. We will be praying for her.God Bless. Raquel
Ina, *hugs* I am praying for you and your mother. Hold onto those wonderful memories with her in the DR! Know you are not alone sweety!
Dear Ina,
We are so sorry to hear about your mother. What a blessing it was to have her there with you where you were able to make precious memories that will forever be cherished. We prayed for her during that time and know that everything happens for a reason we sometimes don’t understand.
Aaron lost his mother suddenly as well during that time. We spoke to her early that day and she was able to converse with us. Later that evening she took a turn for the worse which required emergency surgery on her stomach. We drove down to Texas from Tennessee only to find her heavily sedated in ICU and placed on a ventilator. She was unable to speak for several days after they had weaned her off of the ventilator . When it looked like she was stable, we knew we had to leave to return to our children and ministry. She was able to say Aaron’s name and make eye contact. He went over salvation once more as he had everyday prior. She was able to squeeze our hand and we were assured that she was coherent enough for us to leave. Not even a week later the Lord took her home. As much as we were in shock, we have the peace knowing that she is with our Lord now. We continue to pray for you during this difficult time.