I made an unexpected trip last night. When I got home from trivia from my usual Monday night trivia outing, my wife was a bit upset. Normally, the fact that I play trivia is not as disconcerting as one would expect, so I knew something was up!
It seems that she had been calling her mother for their nightly bed check for an hour or so, and had repeatedly gotten a busy signal. Her mother is not prone to long, late night chats so she feared the worse.
We jumped in the car for the 45 minute trip to her mother's house. To complicate the issue, the garage door opener we use to get into her mother's house wasn't working, and we knew the alarm was probably on! But we would cross all of those bridges when we got there, the important thing was to make sure that she was alright.
So when we finally got there, near midnight in the pitch dark, the ingenious plan that we came up with was to walk through the back yard (no flashlight,) place a chair at the bedroom window, and have my wife stand on the chair as I propped her up, and tap on the window.
Of course, if she was all right, someone tapping on the window at the middle of the night could give anyone a heart attack, let alone an 87 year old woman, bit we needed a resolution and this was the best idea that came up with at that hour!
Turns out she was perfectly fine, and came fearlessly to the window, and didn't act too surprised!
She went to open the window and my wife kept yelling "turn the alarm off!" At this point, we were so relieved that we were laughing, her mother trying to open the window and my wife, balanced precariously on a chair trying to hold it closed! After a minute or so of struggling, her mother got the message, went and turned off the alarm and we discovered that she had inadvertently left the phone off the hook!
We laughed all the way back home! Then my wife said that she was sorry that we had to make the trip "for nothing."
"For nothing?" Knowing a beloved family member is safe and getting a good night's sleep is just about at the top of the priority list for me. Putting family first isn't a chore, it's a privilege!
Photo: Lunar Eclipse
|
||
|
All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008. |
All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
TOO FUNNY! It could have been serious, but I'm glad it turned out to be HILARIOUS! Thanks for sharing, I even laughed out loud at this one!
As parents get older, those things do happen. Glad she was ok.
AWESOME Richard,
man, that really does help keep things in perspective - I am glad your mother in law is good. I thank you for the story. I can imagine the anxiety on the trip down and feel your laughter once you found out she was good to go.
Ya know, my wife and I were sitting on the front porch last night enjoying a glass of wine during the rain storm and we touched on a few things. She made a statement that woman see things (this type of act) kind of differently than men. I hope you know how much this really meant to your wife, I think we'd have a tendency to say "this is just what you do as the man", but it's really much more than that.
You're a good example.
I am glad everything was ok. Good for you for having such a great attitude about it. You never know.
Good morning Richard,
This too happened to me. My mom would NOT answer the phone and she too is elderly. She had been ill with the flu, so I drove to her home...and it was pitch black...not a single light was on! For an instant, I took a deep breath almost preparing myself for what "could possibly" await me inside! I had a key, let myself in...the only sound was the hum of the fridge. I walked into the living room and there she sat in the lazy boy asleep and SNORING! The dog at her feet protecting her...and the phone right there beside her.
The funny thing? Well all of her children including the ones in Texas and Illinois had been calling her for THEIR nightly bed check and had already grown frantic as well...I phoned them all and informed them that she was okay.
These elderly moms, they're spunky...want to take care of themselves...AND CAN! But I totally agree with what you and your wife did...I would have driven across the state for this mama!
Absolutely family does come first!! I have a plan in place when I go out of town to have my wife checked on while I am gone due to a heart condition. So I know very well what you are talking about. I am glad to hear that all is well.
Had you not gone and she needed you, you would never have forgiven yourself. Family is ALWAYS first. No doubt. Glad it turned out to be a false alarm.
It is always better to check out a situation like that instead of laying awake all night not knowing. I might suggest that you find a neighbor of your mother-inlaws that you could call in the future. It might save you the drive, but I would have done the done the same thing!
Richard....I wouldn't have expected anything less form you. Been there, done that...will do it again. In-laws both in their 80's and my parents in their 70's. And life goes on!!
That sounds like an exciting Monday night. I usually have some type of fun do to my father about once a week. We went out with a friend for his birthday last night and when we got home, my father was sitting on our front porch. He had let one of his friends barrow his truck, that had all of his keys and his phone in it, and at that point his friend was about 8 hours late on returning the truck. So, a friend gave him a ride from work to my house, because I have a key to his house and he had no way to get in.
Richard - I am glad it all turned out all right. It was a long drive for something, not for nothing. And you are a trivia buff also. I always said, if the only place the information is worth anything is on Jeapordy, I know it. What do you have planned for tonight?
Michael...
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Just another one of those funny episodes life has to offer!
Sheila...
You're right, they do!
Jeff...
I have always suspected that, but never have heard it verbalized. But i know my wife deeply appreciated my concern.
Mel...
You never do. As a matter of fact, while we were driving there, I told her about your friend Dee and her recent loss, and how the "what-ifs" were so painfull, so there wasn't going to be a what-if in this case.
Richard,
I can just imagine how you felt, and there was no question you had to make the trip. Glad you could laugh about it.
Steve
Richard- it is always better to be safe than sorry! And family always comes first....even before sleep!
You would never have forgiven yuorself if she hadn't been ok. Think of it as good quality time with your wife:)
Richard: Great story! Reminds me of some of the trips I've dragged my hubby on when I can't reach my Mom. Sounds like you've got a great Mother-in-Law there.
Richard-That was a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing with all of us. Glad to know that your mother-in-law is doing well. You're a true family man. That is wonderful. God Bless
What a sweet man you are to pick up & go w/out complaint. For some reason this happens all the time to me...I get the call the alarm is going off at my parents house and I freak out and start calling everywhere. Turns out it was nothing after all but sure get's you movin' & groovin' quickly.
Glad your mother-in-law was ok. Neither you nor your wife would have been able to sleep worrying about her. You did the right thing.
What a good sport....your wife is a lucky woman. I always have to go to those late night calls alone (hubby's at home with kids). I can't get the picture out of my head balancing on a chair holding the window shut! Too funny!
Well, I bet that was certainly more excitement than you were looking for last night. I am so glad she was OK. I wish all elderly people wore the "help I've fallen and can't get up" buttons to notify someone if they need help. You are a good man Richard! Does your wife know how lucky she is to have you?
Richard, you are a wonderful man and a terrific husband. Your wife is a very lucky woman. I'm so glad everything turned out okay.