A couple of weeks ago, I got an offer from People magazine for 6 free issues. My third came in the mail this week. First of all, Kate Middleton was on the cover. Yes, she's gorgeous and rich and royal. I didn't watch the wedding, I don't know what the big controversy was with her Sister Pippa, and I'm confused why they spell Kate with a "K" when her name is Catherine with a "C". The magazine smells fan-freakin-tastic and I made myself wait and stumble across the little perfume card and to my absolute ASTONISHMENT, the perfume is by Justin Beiber! I know nothing about him really, but I don't really support him or his music or talent or fame, hair, whatever. Him and the Jonas Brothers can go piss in a lake for all I care- those screaming girls give me a headache. Anywho, the magazine went on and I came across the story of Gabrielle Gifford. I read the piece, her tale being quite similar to my mom's. I haven't really kept tabs on her throughout this process- one traumatic story with repeating intricate details is enough. I do know that she was in fact SHOT in the head, but in the same cerebral area as my mom and has had the same frustrations and disabilities that my mom has had. My mom is progressively doing BETTER than Gabrielle is, but like Gabrielle, my mom is "doing better everyday" as the piece is titled.
Admittedly, I cried after reading the page and studying the pictures- before and after. Gabrielle is a beautiful woman. Before her trauma, she was a gorgeous normal woman in her achieving prime- blonde, professional, and in my opinion, "homelike and inviting". She looked like the homeroom mom at school or the mom that takes charge at the soccer meetings. To me, now she looks like a beautiful survivor.
She looks like a woman that beat all odds. A woman that fights everyday for normalcy and sanity and still manages a smile on her beautiful face. She looks like, my mom.
Gabrielle has the same features my mom has had. She has a trach scar from breathing and feeding tubes. One of her eyes is slightly smaller than the other one- hiding behind now necessary glasses. Her hair texture has changed. It's an odd change- almost like coarse, and brittle dead upon dead ends. She also has a wonderful straight smile. In the article, they ask if she wants, will be able to, or is willing to go another term as an Arizona congresswoman. Her and her spokeswoman are kinda vague, but really leaned in the same direction- That's not really what matters right now! Geeze.
This woman escaped death and is still in her 5th month of rehab (shwew!). What's important now is what this woman feels and lives- now who she is and what her life was made up of. I remember before Mom was ever released from anything and people were asking about her scars and abilities and future work and I just wanted to shake them and say She's breathing on her own okay!?
After 2 and a half months of watching tubes and vitals and numbers and liquids and blood drains and hand twitches and blinks and toe jerks, I didn't care if she never put on her own shoes again- she's alive. And we would have chopped off our LIMBS for the payment of that HUGE miracle.
Anywho, just part of the thought process this week. Mom has been following Gabrielle pretty well- it's very interesting to her. In fact, she's reading the article aloud in the kitchen. So far she's commented on her hair cut and the trach scar.
With this blog, I wanted to send along a great recipe that you need to try (if you don't have it already)
Jalp Crescent Pinwheels
-4 oz cream cheese, softened
-1/2 c chopped cooked chicken or ham or canadian bacon
-1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro
-2-3 T. finely chopped green onions.
-2-3T. finely chopped jalp chiles
-1/8 t. salt
- 1 can crescent rolls
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Stir together all ingredients except dough. Set aside.
2. Unroll dough. Separate into 2 long rectangles. Place 1 rectangle on long cutting board, press perforations to seal. Spread half of cream cheese mixture on dough rectangle within 1/2 inch of the edges. Start rolling with one long side, roll up rectangle, press seam to seal. Cut roll into 16 slices.
3. Bake according to package.
These are so yummy. My friend Jennifer Mead's mom made them for a church small group at her house and when they left, I ate the left overs. :)
Also, Handy Housewife Tip of the Day:
If you wrap your huge block of cheese in aluminum foil, it won't mold! How awesome is that?! So buy in bulk and grate your own cheese! Go green- well actually keep away from the green. hahaha.
I've promised Mom for a while that I would document her year of recovery thus far and it should be somewhat simple because I vented/journaled through most of it. It's just such a mindblock- so many things went to CRAP in that time. I dropped out of and failed some classes. A meaningful relationship ended, mom's journey, personal testimony, and me breaking down fast. I'll probably post it as another blog on here just so I don't have to go back and forth with dates. It might just be here's what happened, or it might be more detailed in what I remember and feeling and laalala.
Ok. More thoughts later.
That was long.
Thanks for reading.
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