'I Just Want Ordinary'

I just got off the phone with my mother and I finally heard a smile in her voice and she was laughing! The past two weeks have just been a roller coaster of emotions. My first phone call to her two weeks ago was 'Oh no. We aren't going to get any of the flood water' followed by my dads booming voice in the background reassuring me that there was no way that river would ever get close to them. (although their house sits about 50 yards from the water)

Two days after that first phone call she called me trying her best to use her big girl voice but quickly began sobbing, 'Oh no Sunny. The river is coming here. Your dad had me come home from work and we are moving everything out today.' And so began the day to day drama of encroaching water, ominous river pictures, wild rumors and theories about what was really going to unfold.

Now two weeks later, she is living in a gutted house with river water at the sandbag wall but, no water in the house. The basement is a shell; the carpet is removed, the toilets have been removed, drains are capped, doors are off their hinges, pumps are waiting for water, chlorine is positioned and as of yesterday, 4 feet of sheetrock has been removed from the lower half of the wall (more on her reaction to this in a minute). But still, no water.

Here is a bit of what the conversation went like with my observations in parenthesis:

Me: Whatcha doing?

Mom: I'm on the deck. Watching the river. {giggle} Just watching the river roll by. (she adds for emphasis)

Me: So, no water in the house?

Mom: No, it actually dropped a bit. (she says excitedly) But, they released today so we will see that in 36 hours and they will release again tomorrow.

Me: Well, that is good news.

Mom: Yeah, we will see. The river runs so peaceful right in front of us because we have this little inlet. It is not just raging by like you would think.

Me: I know you would be happy and so thankful but, what if you don't get water and you did all that work? I think I'd be a little irritated.

Mom: {she laughs} I know! Sometimes I think that is what is going to happen next.

Me: Like a really bad episode of 'Punked' (she laughs and probably has no idea what I am talking about since she doesn't even know how to turn her television on by herself)

Mom: Yeah, your dad and Bill (the neighbor) cut 4 feet of sheetrock out of the basement walls yesterday. I just stood there and thought, 'isn't that a little overboard.' But, I didn't say nothing. I just let them work. It's their way to deal with it. Just finding work to do.

Me: Well, make sure dad is taking it easy.

Mom: Oh yeah. He had a couple of rough days. It was just so hot here. And, he would get up and work from dawn till dusk acting like he is 40. And, he ain't 40 anymore.

Me: True

Mom: But, he brought back my microwave today! I was just so excited. And, I went shopping at Ashley's house today because she isn't eating up all my food like she is supposed to (Ashley is my sister and that is where my mom moved some of her stuff. And, my mother ALWAYS HAS FOOD. And, lots of it. Sometimes you can't even see into the refrigerator)

At this point I am just laughing with her and she is just getting so animated and then she really starts 'Barb-ing' out. Which is when she gets a bit goofy and excited about little things.

Mom: And guess what? Your dad said if we don't get any water by Friday, he is going to bring back my washer and dryer! He said 'you know, I really think you would feel better if you just had your washer and dryer, Barb'. I got kind of teary. I would just love to throw my rugs in and wipe up my floor. You would be so proud of me. My house is kind of messy. (I can totally hear her beaming at this point and I am smiling from ear to ear. It is such a blessing to hear a little hope in her voice)

Mom: You know me, I just want ordinary. I just want to lolly-gag around and be ordinary. I'm back at work and that is so good for me. I like to focus on other people and realize how good my life really is. (she works in CAT scan and sees a lot of trauma)

Me: It's so good to hear you smile.

Mom: I know. You know I am going to be okay. There were some days where I was tempted to call the doctor and get a little something for my stress. Sometimes I just couldn't talk myself off the wire. But, I didn't. I just kept thinking 'this too shall pass'. And, I may still get water but, I am ready for it now. This has all just turned kind of normal.

Me: Well good. I am so excited to come back soon.

Mom: Me too! (5 days ago she was plotting with my sister to talk me out of coming) We may just buy blow-up mattresses and stay here! It's kinda fun. It's like we are camping. We have lawn chairs everywhere. No furniture. And, I use the lids that go on my storage tubs for food trays. And, we eat anywhere we like now! I don't even care about the carpet anymore.

Me: {laughing} You've come a long way in a couple weeks. Well, I am so excited to come back.

Mom: Yes. I have some good wine coming from when we were in Napa valley. We can just sit on the deck and watch the river. Maybe your dad will bring back my grill by then!

Me: Yay! That sounds fun. Love you mom.

Mom: Love you too. Tell Gracie I didn't forget about her big graduation day. We will do something special when you get here.

Me: Oh she knows you love her. Talk to you soon.

Mom: Bye honey. I love you.

Me: Love you too!

Here is a link to some surreal arial photos. Still praying the water stays away! But, thankful for the small victory of hearing a glimmer of hope and taking a moment to catch our breath and laugh.

http://www.nylen.com/flood/20110610/