Explanation

Monday was sort of a weird day. We had a 2:00 p.m. appointment for an informal viewing so my mother-in-law could see her beloved one last time. I wasn't sure what to expect, but he looked very peaceful. Funeral arrangements were finally made and will take place in Arizona a week from today.

I spent several hours searching for flights to accomodate the seven of us and our schedules. And then I made a desperate call to the hairdresser hoping she could find time to squeeze me in before we left. Miraculously, she had an opening late in the day. I knew my family would understand that my hair was more important than having dinner on the table. You all know I am not a nice person when dealing with a bad hair day. (Hanging head in shame.)

I won't go into how my hairdresser has terrible short term memory loss, how she can't remember what I told her I wanted, but can remember what I told her I thought I wanted 3 months ago. But when I went to pay, I realized that my anniversary was the next day. Michael's birthday, the 24th, was sort of postponed until January. I didn't even get him a card. So I wanted to somehow acknowledge him for having spent the last 26+ years with me.

I dragged myself out to the store around 10:30p.m. The 5th card I picked up struck me as oddly funny. (The next day not so much.) After my selection, I managed to wander around the store for another 45 minutes trying to think of what we might need. Deodorant, milk, bread, and a frozen pizza-requested via text message from my non-celiac daughter.

Arriving home, my house was eerily quiet. It wasn't the same as I'd left it. Elisabeth was sitting by the fireplace and nobody else was around. "Where is everyone?" I queried. That was when she asked if I'd passed the firetruck or ambulance or sheriff's car on our street. I hadn't. She then proceeded to relay the story. Ethan had tipped a chair over on himself, quit breathing and was turning blue. Christina yelled for Elisabeth to call 911. (Did you know if you call 911 on your cell phone, it automatically deletes from your calls dialed list? Smart move on somebody's part.)

The entourage of medical personel arrived to assess him and gave Christina the option of having them take him to the hospital by ambulance, taking him herself, or watching him at home. He wasn't breathing for about a minute, even though the paramedic was sure it was more likely 20 seconds. I'm glad I wasn't here. That man has no idea how alert to those kinds of details Christina has. She's timed seizures, counted respirations, taken his vitals, etc. She has an idea of seconds versus minutes. But as frightened as she'd been, she decided to wait and see with him.

I asked my girls why they hadn't called me. They said they'd been a tad busy with the situation. They thought I'd come home at any minute. I can't imagine what I would have thought, driving into the cul-de-sac to find emergency vehicles at my home.

Ethan seems fine now. Christina did take him to the doctor, who told her things to watch for. I asked Ethan if the firemen had come to see him and he pointed and said "truck." Michael woke up to my post, and was stressed at not knowing what had happened. Around 8:30 a.m., a little boy crawled into my bed wanting his grandma to get up. I was happy to oblige him.