Steak Chunks and the ER

 Oh hello Elder Rivera!

Wow, this is a weekend I didn’t expect. I had planned on going with your brothers to put up grandma’s Christmas tree and install a new bathroom fan for her on Saturday morning. Friday night I had spoken to aunt Stella who told me that uncle Temmy had been falling down. I woke up early to a text saying that he had fallen again during the night. So I got ready and went over. I felt a little guilty stopping at McDonald’s on my way, but it turned out to be wisdom as you’ll see as the story continues.

When I got there uncle Temmy was in bed. He was tucked in so cozy and shockingly neatly. He was happy to see me and we chatted for a while. We finally got him up and dressed, to the bathroom, then dressed again. By then, I was feeling it physically, I had to hold him up the whole time. He only weighs about 160, but despite losing his strength, he’s freaking strong. He’s  physically strong and even stronger willed. He doesn’t want to accept that he’s having problems or needs help. I had been praying for help since I got the call in the morning, and as we working towards the car that pray was answered for the first time. A neighbor came over just in time to help me carry him out. I took the top and she took his legs. She was half my size but soo much help. Aunt Stella stayed home because she had Covid. 

So the next challenge was the emergency room. They were helpful, but did literally nothing for him. Again, despite having no strength in his legs, he’s incredibly fit. He told the doctor that he does 50 pushups, 200 sit-ups, and runs in place for the equivalent of a mile. I’m not sure if he still does this, but aunt Stella did say that he takes three hours every morning exercising. Anyway, all his  tests came back negative, which means they couldn’t find anything wrong. Now, keep in mind that these were not doctors like Cecily or grandma or even grandpa had. This was a young doctor at a boring hospital hoping for something exciting like a gunshot wound or a helicopter crash, so a wobbly little old man who seems healthy other than his recent inability to walk weren’t really worth his time. We were there for six hours…for nothing. 

I got him home, we got him dressed, to the bathroom, dressed again and settled in his place on the couch. I had probably lifted him up thirty or forty times, and helped hold him up for at least a collective hour. My arms were jelly, my legs weak, and I was STARVING. By then it was pushing six and I had only had four bites of a sausage McMuffin. I really didn’t want to leave them but at the same time I felt the need to escape. So I went home. 

Now, it wasn’t all bad, I missed the whole ward party, including set up. And your brothers were complete beasts. Not only did they help grandma, they brought grandpa’s walker to bountiful for my uncle, and, sacrifice of all sacrifices, they went to set up my trees with the party committee. Mom made me a grilled bologna and cheese sandwich on homemade bread with tomato soup when I got home, just what I needed. We finished the evening watching conference championship games. I can’t honestly remember the outcome of any of them, I’ll leave that news for your brothers to tell.

Speaking of football, the Utes got the Las Vegas bowl against Northwestern. It’s not super exciting until you think about BYUs bowl (hehe). Tickets aren’t expensive and a room at the Luxor across from the stadium is affordable too…aaaaand… moms friend Julie got us almost free flights to Vegas sooo…yes. The first family trip without you. It’s not Rose Bowl against Ohio State and Disneyland mind you, but it’s something.

It’s pretty late now, almost midnight. Today mom was a little sick from her Covid and flu shot so she stayed home from church. The elders broke their car on black ice so they texted for a ride. So I got up and brought them to our ward. You’ll be glad to know that I did bear my testimony and gladder that you weren’t here for it since you’re name was mentioned. Mom and Ben made steak chunks and Alfredo for dinner and I spent a chunk of the afternoon cutting out circles for mom’s class out of paper. We watched the Christmas devotional and your brothers complained about the hymns and some of the talks, I was just happy watching together.

Okay my boy, good night, love you.

Pops