The Nana

Every choice we make sets us up for something. We may not know or realize it in the moment, but when the reason for that choice becomes clear, the option to envelop ourselves in gratitude or drown in remorse presents itself.

Almost 8 years ago, I made the choice to put me and my family first. To give us time and money freedom. To create a life we couldn’t wait to wake up to. It’s been an incredible journey that has far exceeded any expectation I could have ever seen in my mind’s eye. And the crazy part is that, even after 8 years, I still feel as though I’m only getting started.

My reasons for making this choice have evolved over the years, but the one thing that has stayed consistent is that I have been able to be wherever I was needed at any given moment. Sometimes it meant being a parent volunteer for a field trip and other times it was to be there for a friend. I’ve had to pick up sick kids from school and pick up friend’s kids when they’re running late. Regardless of the reason, I’ve BEEN there and my kids are hyper aware of the fact that they have it pretty sweet in this department.

Last week, the Universe decided to give me another example of how I’m on the right path. I got a phone call on Monday morning from my Nana so I dropped everything and ran. A little back story: she is THE spunkiest, sweetest most wonderfully beautiful 83 year old soul on this planet and I challenge anyone to show me someone greater. Ok fine, my opinion might be slightly biased, but everyone I introduce to her loves her immediately. Seriously. Ask them about the Nana. As she’s gotten older, she’s shrunk down and is now less than 5 feet tall. So cute, you could just put her in your pocket. She is fiercely independent, lives on her own, (usually) drives, goes for lunch with her friends every week and she loves to go shopping. Always says she’s just going to “look around and have a peek” but we both know that’s code for finding yummy cookies and candies from Scotland because they remind her of home. My kiddos are likely the ones that appreciate her shopping trips the most because they love going to Nana’s for treats. She also loves her TV shows like The Price Is Right, Coronation Street and Border Patrol, with The Bachelor rating right up there. Truth be told, I think she just likes to roll her eyes and judge the decisions of the folks during that last one. Oh and we can’t forget about the sports! She loooooves hockey (go Oilers go!) and football (Eskimos all the way) and can be heard miles away shouting at them to “smarten the hell up” and “play properly”.

Nana got her drivers license in her 40’s after my Papa’s first heart attack. She was working at the time and taking the bus to go see him proved difficult. After he came home and resumed normal life, she didn’t do much driving. As the years passed, his health deteriorated and when she was in her late 60’s, she took driving lessons again and renewed her license so she could go see him every day when he was moved to an extended care home. She hated relying on anyone for anything because she didn’t want to “bother” anyone and be a nuisance. Yeah, she can be a bit stubborn. Might be where I get it from…

This tiny yet mighty woman has been waiting on a hip replacement surgery for a few months now. To complicate matters, the hip being replaced is actually fractured and the bone has been steadily disintegrating. For most, this pain would be enough to keep you bedridden and stir crazy. Not the Nana. Nope, she still lives on her own, makes her own meals and manages to figure things out, although it does take her a little longer. She can’t drive at the moment so she’ll ask to be taken somewhere so she can pick out her groceries and such. And she still goes for lunch every week with her friends. She is such a little badass. I hope I’ll be half as fabulous as she is when I’m in my eighties!

So last Monday morning, my phone rings early in the morning. As soon as I see the number on my call display, a strange feeling hits me. I answer the phone and I can hear the stress and the pain in her voice, even though she’s trying hard to mask it. Nana tells me she needs me to come over. Sometime during the night she hurt her good hip and is unable to walk, stand or sit. I dropped everything and ran. My oldest daughter tells me to hurry and that she’ll look after her brother and sister, that she’s got it under control. I have awesome kids.

As I race to her place, I realize that I’m not entirely sure what I’m waking into. Thankfully I have a set of keys so I can let myself in without having to find the building manager. I get inside and see her sitting in an awkward position on her couch, fully dressed, the pain and discomfort distorting her face. After a quick assessment, both of us realize that there’s no way I can get her into my SUV without hurting her more so we call an ambulance. The EMTs arrived, do their own assessment and tell me that they’re taking her to the closest hospital and will stay with her until she’s seen by a doctor. I fully intended on going in the ambulance with her, but she tells me to go home and she’ll call me later. Cute, right? I take a step back and roll my eyes at her as she attempts to swat me. They get her loaded in the ambulance and off they go, while I follow in my SUV.

Over the course of the next 4 days, the kids and I spent quite a bit of time going back and forth to the hospital to make sure she had company during the day and that she was being well looked after. In that time, we helped correct a medication error the doctor made and helped the physiotherapist read her X-rays properly. Yes that really happened. And no, I’m not kidding. When she was released, we all took turns checking on her. And now that the kids have gone back to school, I can be with her for as long as she’ll let me stay. The most beautiful thing about my profession is that I can work from anywhere. So while I’m working away on my iPad, she’s playing casino games on hers and we chat the day away. This availability is the result of a choice. This is time freedom.

So I want you to think about the choices you’ve made that have brought you to this moment. You are one choice away from a completely different tomorrow. Think about how you spend the best hours of your best days and decide if that’s what you want your tomorrows to look like.

If anyone needs me, I’ll be hanging out at Nana’s.