Last Thursday, when Joey, Momma and I were sitting in the Intensive Care Unit waiting room, I set up my laptop and decided that – in the midst of crisis and emergency – it would be a good time to play The Thankful Game.
11/10/11
Joey, “You’re typing it? …You’re typing that I just said that?”
Me, “Do you not read Square Piece?”
Of course I’m typing as people are talking. Gotta get the raw responses!
Joey, thinking and taking a while, “I’m thankful … … …”
Me, “Momma, you can jump in if you…”
Ready, Momma interrupts, “For friends who are quick to say, ‘What can I do?’ ”
Me, “Yes. I’ve had several friends ask if there’s anything they can do. It’s nice.”
Joey, “I’m thankful for coworkers who understand that family comes before work. Specifically my bosses.”
Me, “I’m thankful that Mandy and Rachael were able to stop by. And for the way
the pastor didn’t know how to work the pen.”
Momma, “Ha ha ha… ‘New technology?’ ”
I motioned to Joey.
Joey, “Me?! You haven’t said anything!”
Yes, I did. And I repeated it.
Joey, “That was, like, 5 minutes ago… I’m thankful for people who spend a long time at school to learn more specifically how to take care of people when their families can’t.”
Momma, “For an oncologist that says, ‘We will find out NOW what’s going on.’ ”
Me, “Mmhmm. I’m thankful that there’s a 24 hour Subway at this medical facility. Have you eaten anything today?”
Momma, “I have not eaten anything since yesterday. And coffee. Yesterday’s coffee. I’m not starving, but I would eat if I had food in front of me. Penguins in the ice rink. Oh my gosh, did you see that? Holy cow!”
I should clarify that News 4 was on the television behind me. It makes for a very distracting Thankful Game.
Me, “Would you like some Subway?”
Momma, enthusiastic nod. She points at Joey (kind of a blaming point), who did not offer to get her Subway when he went a little earlier. Never mind that she never expressed hunger of any kind. It hadn’t crossed his mind to ask.
Me, “Well, I can hear you.”
Joey, “You know that movie with Macaulay Culkin, “The Good Son,” I’m thankful for that.”
Me, “Really?”
Joey, “No. That movie was weird.”
Me, “Who names their son Macaulay? Macaulay?” Looking at Momma, “What would you like?”
Momma, “It doesn’t matter. Whatever you’re eating.”
Me, having just been caught for the same crime that Joey committed (…but only because she wasn’t even AT the hospital when I was eating.!.), “Momma, I might not be a good daughter.” I confessed, “I already ate Subway.”
Joey, mocking me, “You see, what had happened was…”
Me, “So I won’t be eating. I’ll be getting you something. What don’t you want?”
Momma, “Sugar.”
Me, “No sugar.”
Momma, “So, like, nothing sweet. Barbeque-y sweet, nothing like that. Just straight up fresh vegetables. No sauce. Nothing like that.”
Me, “Meat?”
Momma nods.
And so ended our unusual Thankful Game.
For the record, I’m thankful that my family can express thanksgiving, even when we’re scared, uncertain, concerned and clinging to hope.
By the way, Charley was able to come home from the hospital today! Praises! Please pray that he continues on the path of recovery. XOXO.
Crying … all over again …. laughing, too …. but crying with relief, that that is over now ……. thanks for distracting me in that moment …. thanks for being there for me … for him …. us.
You guys sound so much like hospital conversations in our family, minus all the negativity of course. One of dad’s doctor’s described us as the vultures from the jungle book. I was the only one laughing at that. Sounds like an awesome afternoon. So happy Charley was sent home. I enjoy your blog so much. I’ve gotten to know you and the family more, but the insight into your mom is SOOO awesome. She is one awesome lady.
I just love how you guys remind me so much of us 🙂 Blessed read Suzy. Your whimsy always grabs me…in a good way 😉 Thanks for letting us peek into your thankfulness game. So glad Charley is home and Donna is fed lol
…smiling while reading your post.
we’ll be playing the thankful game on our 4.5 hour train ride on Thursday….thankful that David upgraded us to 1st class….hopefully we won’t annoy to many prim Germans with our boisterous family!