My mom has always been an overdoer. Too many snacks out for guests to finish. Too many words on your birthday card. Too many emotions for that one John Cusack movie. Naturally and professionally, working as a night nurse for nearly 35 years, the woman’s purpose on this planet is to care.
Mom understood but I knew she had a tough time dealing with it as well. Pretty soon our text threads just became a back and forth of heart emojis, a quick symbol that demonstrated in some way that we were thinking of one another at that precise moment. After a few more tests, I was driven to a larger city where I would be met by a cardiologist for even more tests and, hopefully, answers.
After checking into the cardiology unit, I was taken to emergency triage and wheeled into a tiny curtained-off room. I could hear everything around me – like the old guy next to me farting or the woman three curtains down screaming for help. There was barely enough room for a bed, but Mom brought in a chair and reassured me that everything was going to be okay.