Unexpected

Mom called me today.  I was in a meeting.  My sister had told me this morning that dad called to have my sister’s husband go over to the house to help pick my mom off the bathroom floor.  So that didn’t bode well.

But while I was in a meeting, she called and left a message, asking me to call her back.  I did, around half an hour later, when I was out of the meeting.  I was completely unprepared for the conversation.

I don’t even remember it all that well – it was so out of the blue.  but basically she said she’d seen a physical therapist that day and a social worker…and next week she was actually – if she can get an appointment that quickly – going back to see Dr. S. 

And – she had discussed her drinking with the social worker. 

This is big.  She was talking about the drinking as a problem. 

And she thanked me for my email the other day.  I wasn’t sure if she meant that or if it was sarcastic.  But I actually think she meant it.  I’m still puzzling over that one.  But…okay.

She also – this was new and different – said she was concerned about the effect her drinking has had on my sister and me.  Unheard of.

We talked.  It was strained.  It was strange.  I didn’t know what to think, how to respond.  I just was honest.  I didn’t cave.  I didn’t reassure.  But I don’t think I was mean or anything either.  I told her my sister and I don’t want her to crash.  But in the past, any time we’ve tried to show her that we recognize the warning signs, the red flags, she has shut us out.

She didn’t dispute that.  It was strange.  I emailed and then talked to my sister after.  We’re both cautiously optimistic, I guess.  Don’t want to get too excited – things have looked promising before.  But I have to say, some of the things my mother said were new – things she’s never said before.

I hope.  I am hesitant to.  But I hope.