This picture doesn’t seem life-changing. But to my mother, it changed the next month of her life! (And then some!) Mom was doing something in the kitchen, turned to walk the other direction, and stumbled over this cat. She fell hard, broke her hip, and ended up having a partial hip replacement that same day! Three days in the hospital were followed by twenty days in a rehab facility. This all started on September 5th — the Beginning of The Fall.

Here’s the culprit! Cute as he is, he could no longer co-exist with my mom. My sister has taken “Big Cat” and his brother “Little Cat” home with her. The cat sustained no injury!

Melodie and Fritz went to visit Grandma at the rehab place. It was beautiful fall weather!

In other news, I (Susan) was able to get Chloe settled in to college. Her roommate is an MK (Missionary’s Kid) from Africa, so they have much in common.

We had a few things to do to prepare for Grandma to return home from rehab. Norman replaced the back porch steps, and Melodie helped sand and stain extra railings.

We finally have been able to use the office space we’ve rented in the building next door! Just in time for Cameron to begin his fall semester of college online. A pastor friend of Norman’s is coming this week to help build some walls to create a couple rooms, one of which will contain Norman’s office and recording studio (for podcasts).

We are amazed at God’s timing of events! Just three weeks after I finished my CNA class, Mom fell. I was instantly available to help out in a variety of ways with ease. It would have been much more stressful if I hadn’t been through that course! I was there in the room with Mom when she fell and could call the ambulance just minutes afterward. I was here in Wisconsin to visit her daily at the hospital and rehab center, not unavailable in Japan. When Mom came home, she had certain restrictions in place, including the one that required her to have assistance every time she walked anywhere. I had been trained to do this, and I could follow her around for five days. Home therapy began coming last week, and she was given the okay to walk without assistance (except with a walker). This was a huge relief for both of us!

I’m grateful to my other siblings who visited, gave me a break from time to time, covered Mom’s bill paying needs, and saw to other details. This is what family looks like!

Going through this experience has opened my eyes to the needs of other caregivers. Now I know how even a couple hours’ break to just get away, having Mom cared for in my absence, makes such a huge difference! There are many caregivers out there! They are all around us! I never paid them much attention, but now I’m part of that club. Let’s do what we can to support and encourage others on this journey!