Just Sing

posted by Momo Fali on February 2, 2012

You’ve heard the phrases a thousand times: You just never know, do you? Make every day count. Time flies. In the blink of an eye. Life is short. Carpe diem.

Yesterday morning, my stepmother was at a regular check-up at her doctor’s office when she started to feel queasy. The doctor ordered a shot of anti-nausea medication and the next thing she knew, it was today. She woke to find herself in the ICU with a ventilator doing her breathing.

It likely wasn’t an allergic reaction, as she’s had this medicine before with no side effects, but rather a near-lethal combination of medication in her system. Don’t ever doubt drug interactions; they are a very real danger.

In between her passing out in her doctor’s exam room and waking up in Intensive Care, we watched and waited. We didn’t know if it was a heart attack, stroke, embolism…or what. All we knew, was that there were a lot of doctors attending to her, she wasn’t regaining consciousness or breathing on her own, her blood pressure was perilously low, and a minister had asked my dad if he wanted a Catholic priest to be called. We honestly didn’t know if she was going to live or die.

Tonight, she is fine. I was there this afternoon and she was off the vent, alert and talkative. She was lucky.

On my way home from the hospital tonight, I was thinking how quickly this all happened. That’s how it goes, you know? No one knows what the next minute will bring.

The sun was setting and the sky was a deep pink. The same color that makes me think of my step-niece, who must have been looking down from heaven on her grandma yesterday.

I turned on the radio and the station was playing “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”, which is one of my dad’s favorite songs. The man who, just yesterday, was devastated to see his wife in grave condition.

I thought of my niece’s death, my stepsister, my stepmom, my dad, the fear, the tears, the events of the last day, and how precious and fleeting life is.

Then I started singing.

I sang the song that reminds me so much of my dad. I sang to myself, to the sky and to the passing cars. I didn’t even care who saw me. Because, why should I? I sang because I can, because I have a voice, because I’m breathing, because I’m living.

All of those phrases up there are completely true, but don’t waste your time uttering them. Just sing, people.

Just sing.

    Comments

  • Melisa


    I love this post.
    I’m so glad that she’s going to be okay.

    It sucks to have an epiphany as a result of something like this, but I guess that’s the silver lining. Hope she has a speedy recovery! xo

    • Momo Fali


      Well, she was complaining that the pulse/ox monitor made her nail polish come off, so I think she’s going to be just fine!

      • Melisa


        Winning! 🙂

  • Sarah Tryon


    Truly beautiful and so very true MoMo, thank you for sharing. You and your family will be in my prayers tonight.

  • Tara R.


    I’m so glad your mom is feeling better.

  • Zak


    What a day, man. Glad she’s ok, how scary. And this post is so very true. Sing your guts out.

  • Bea_OT


    I’m so happy that she’s alright! How scary is that? It scared me when my son ended up in NICU. On the other hand, I cherish every moment with him.

    Thanks for this reminder.

    Wishing you and your family some peace and love tonight.

  • Flawless Mom


    Damn straight, sister.

  • Jessica


    How scary! So glad to hear she’s ok. I sing my heart out in the car all the time. I figure if anyone notices, they might laugh, and laughter’s a good thing, so I don’t mind. 🙂

  • Leanne


    Lovely. And I’m glad she’s feeling better. And I’m glad you wrote and reminded us to sing.

  • Deb


    Always a good reminder to cherish those that we are given because one day God will need them back! I am so glad she is OK, and yes please keep singing!!!! I do it too, even though I can’t carry a tune in a bucket! But hey, my car doesn’t mind ; )

  • Poppy


    I am glad that your stepmom is doing fine now. Life is both a mystery and too short… A short mystery.

  • AlisonH


    Wow. SING! I wonder if she remembers being in the ICU; I know I don’t. Oh, I’m so glad she’s okay and that they figured out what it was!

  • The Laundress


    I have goosebumps right now.

    Glad your stepmom is better.

  • Marci Rich


    Ah….I needed to read this today….

    Momo, I’m glad your stepmother is all right. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to sing.

  • meleah rebeccah


    Holy hell. I am SO happy she’s OKAY.

  • Cher


    I know how it is. I just lost my 90 yr old Dad on Jan 12. Today is my birthday and instead of being sad I won’t receive a card from him, my daughter taped his Happy Birtday wish to me and sent the audio to me in a Happy Birthday Text. The BEST gift ever! And I get to hear it year after year!
    Life is precious!

  • Ally


    I know I’m late in reading this, but so glad to hear your stepmom is going to be okay! Sing, sing, sing! You’re right, we never know what the next moment will bring.

  • Ms Life


    I am glad to read that your stepmom is doing well. Life truly is fragile.

  • Paige from Ohio


    Oh so true. Love this post!!!!
    I love to be in this frame of mind(happens often) and just soak everything in/all the sights.
    I’ll be singing today……….
    & Glad ALL are okay.

  • anymommy


    I can sing, not well, but I can do it. I’m so glad that she’s alright.