People

People. I have so many in my life. Some I adore, some I tolerate, some who amuse, some who annoy, some who I want to know and some who I wish I never knew. People always surprise me, but never more than the past five days. David and I have been revived and embraced by people who have reached out to us and to Max. Friends, family, acquaintences, strangers and former adversaries have been our angels and soothed us with amazing love and compassion. People can be angels, and we have seen, heard and been comforted by many. The taxi driver who broke the sound barrier to get me to the airport, the United Airlines ticket agent who practically carried me through the security line, the compassion and service of countless medical professionals, the kindness and generousity of people we barely know, the calls, emails, flowers and tidal wave of love has carried us through the darkest days we've known. I love these people. Thank you, I hope I can return the gift when you need it.

Musings Past Midnight

The dead of the night is here and I am alone in Max's hospital room listening to his multitude of monitors and fighting the grip of fear around my heart. Max had brain surgery following an attack in our home on Tuesday by a fellow Grand County High School student. I am afraid of the unknown and uncontrollable. I am out of my element here, subject to so many variables and so unprepared to cope.

Max is our only child -- well, hardly a child -- he is 15. Just this year he shot past me in height and became a man, with man hair on his legs and the shadow of a mustache above his lip. How can this happen without my permission? The world is going too fast for me. Wait. Stop. Take me back to the days when he was little and I could carry him and make all the bad things go away with a song and a kiss.