You know how things would seem normal(though getting swine flu and being hunted by witche hunters is anything but normal) and all it takes is one phone-call. The one that makes you realize how worthless you are to your loved ones. The one that shocks you into silence and you have no words to calm the sobbing you can hear. The one where you curse yourself for getting a job so far from home. The one where you are crumbling inside and yet you have to be strong for others.
Everyone dreads that call. We got one early Sunday morning. My father-in-law collapsed and was taken to the hospital Sat evening IST. Frantic calls made back home. Frantically checking the websites for the earliest and most cost effective flight. NK is leaving for Singapore/India tonight. He will reach Mumbai Wed night and leave for his hometown the Thursday morning. His dad is in the ICU. We dont know what is wrong with him. It could be anything from a brain haemorrhage to tumour to swelling to stroke. But we have to keep the faith and hope for the best.
As for me, I know I will have to suck up and handle anything that happens here. From not being able to go to my weekly Tues photography class(unless I get a babysitter) to the cancelled all day Sunday flea market outing I was looking forward to(sorry J ). To waking up and bringing Samar to the bathroom in the middle of night to figuring out how I am going to attend my parent ed and yet pick up Neil from kinder(I think I will have to skip for the next few weeks).
Fuck fuckety fuck is what keeps going through my mind. At least I am glad I didnt book tickets for me to fly to India for the wedding. Jo bhi hote hai acha ka liye hote hai.(whatever happens happens for the good is the best translation I can come up with)
Aw man! I’m so sorry to hear this – about all of it. I hope everything goes back to normal (relatively), real soon.
Me: I hope so too.Things come in three, so the H1n1, the witch hunt and now this..makes it three right. I need the group of 3 happy things to come to me now.
So sorry to hear about your FIL. Prayers from my end …
I was just wondering about your sister’s wedding …. how the preparations were coming along and if you were missing everything (obviously you would be)
Me: Things are in full swing. They are begging friends and family who are flying to buy DF alcohol for the most awesome bacholerette party ever. Sigh.
If everything works fine and your FIL is able to recover back, any chance of NK attending your sister’s wedding?
Me: I dont know. He might/ he might not. We’ll see. But that would mean extending it for another week. As for now, we are hoping that we would return week of 20th(my birthday sob sob)
Gosh, I can only imagine how stressful it must for you right now. Hang in there,S. I am sure Nk’s father will get well soon and Nk will be back home in no time. Hugs.
Me: hugs back. How are you?
It must be a very stressful time for you. Here’s hoping things work out and your FIL recovers quickly. It is hard on everyone being far away from the family in a time of illness.
Me:Thanks Uma
Oh My. The dreaded phone call from home….Here’s hoping for a fast and complete recovery for your FIL.
Good luck!
M
Me: thanks M, that is what we can all hope and pray for.
Hope everything works out for you. Hang in there
Though not logical, I do believe in things happening in group of 3..and as you said above, I sure hope your 3 VERY HAPPY thingies happen real soon!
Cheer up dearie..
Good wishes to the FIL in ICU for a speedy recovery.
Me: Thanks AKA… I need those 3 happy things soon…I have had too many bad news in the past 2-3 weeks.
Your last line says it all..
Me: It sorta does but yet it doesnt make me feel better. sigh. I was thinking if I had bought the tickets, then maybe we would have to buy tickets for all of us and put it on my cc and pay off later but we would have attended the wedding at least na
Gosh! Wishing your FIL a very speedy recovery.
I’m not so worried about you.
You are a supermom. You will do great.
Me: I am worried. See NK is very good about me doing my own thing. So the class, a evening run(more like walk) Sat morning thrift store shopping is what recharges. Its normally less than 2-3 hours each week but its what keeps me sane and I am freaking out thinking how will I keep my cool and not shout at the kids after 2 weeks of non stop taking care.
oh honey, so sorry to hear this. xoxoxoxoxoxox
Me: It sucks Roisin. for both of us with families far away.
Hugs and more hugs.
Me: I owe you a text , its been a while now.
Offering prayers for your FIL’s recovery. And hugs to you Sunitha for managing the homefront 24/7. Hopefully you can get some friends to come over once in a while just to talk and give you some company.
Me: Thanks Lakshmi
Take care and hope ur fil recovers. You’re not worthless to ur loved ones…banish the thought. That’s expat guilt talking:(
Can’t imagine how stressed out you must be…not getting to do ‘your’ stuff for sometime. I would lose it:(
Big hugs….and you will survive it.
Me: Is it selfish of me not to think what my fil/mil is going through there but to think of how I am going to handle getting everyone out of the house at 7.55a/m? NK is the one who drops the older 3 every morning and Samar gets up at 8.30a/m.I dont know how tomorrow is going to be? sigggh
I am so sorry to hear that! Hope everything is better soon…Wish you all the best for everything. I live in this fear everyday frigging day of my life. It sucks to be away from family and home!
Me: we thought it would be some years down the line. Its really a horrible call to get.
But you are a very positive person, and really strong (not that I know you, but from what i’ve gathered reading your blog). You can do it! Take care.
Me: Thanks Shruti.
Oh man! I’m so sorry all this is happening at once. ahh!! I just hope you will be OK. 4 kids at once with a sick one too is going to be so so hard. Not that it isnt hard already. I’m thinking about u. Hoping everything is well at yours and your FIL too.
xoxox hang in there girl.
oh and ur birthday is nov 20th? so is my husbands! I hope NK comes home in time for your birthday
Me: She is thankfully fully recovered and back at school. I just am crossing fingers that no one else catches it now.
A Scorpio huh.
Bad scene, Sraikh. Sorry for your troubles. NK will have the silent support of all your readers!
Me: Thanks Pera. Loved the wedding pictures
So sorry to hear about your FIL. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
Hope everything works out well for you all.
Me: me too..:(
Wishing you three good things ASAP.
Me: Should I but lottery tickets you think?
oh no…those phone calls are what i dread too…you take care and i hope your pa-in-law gets better.
Me: Thanks Suma. NK just left for the airport and I am sitting here sad and not wanting to go to bed yet.s Its close to 11 and I should go to sleep but sigh…
oops my prayers are with ur fil and family
trust everything will be well
and u breathe in breathe out and take care of urself
When in the US, i remember i could hear my heart thump when there used to be a late night or a very ealry morning call. It just takes the hell out. I am sure you will manage well and why not, you being such an organised and systematic mom. You might wonder why i say this, but i read your weight loss updates and read about your will power. God bless. Take it easy and everythign will be ok.
praying and hoping that nk comes back with news of your fil’s well being.. you take care and be his support.. i know you can and will.. all the best S.. Life is like this only
OH dear. :hug:
aww shucks! hugs girl and lotsa prayers being sent the family’s way.
you hangin there. am sure you will do fine. and if you cant step out too often why not call some girlfriends over every now and then just for a chai and chatting!
take care!
Ouch. can you get any help? Live in Nanny – friends? Anything at all? God this is so scary and terrible, and I hope that everything comes out ok. That your FIL recovers ok and that the kids are as good as gold.
I totally missed the witch hunt post so I dunno what you’re talking about:(
Me:Its was a crazy post. I should publish it back, coz everyone is asking what is it. See you have to check my blog every single day or who knows what juicy news you will miss.
How is the H1N1 now? Kids all fine?
Me: yup, Ashwina is back at school and so far(knock on wood) no one else has any symptoms
I hope your FIL recovers soon, and your life gets back on track. Take care.
that sucks . hope it all unravels soon.
I am so sorry to hear about your FIL and am hoping and wishing he will be alright!! Take care ,Hows ashwina doing now ???
Sunita
I am sooo sorry…my prayers with u….I do hope everything will be alrite…
S
hey please take care.. hope everything falls into place soon.. and here is wishing your father in law a speedy reocovery..
Hey..hope your f-i-l’s on the road to recovery and the rest of you are holding up…love and good wishes coming your way.
Really sorry to hear abt u’r FIL…Wishin him a speedy recovery.I know it’s tough to manage e 4 kids alone, you’ll do great :thumpsup…I have a hard time managing one in DH’s absence.
Wishing everything settles down soon.
shoot. Hoping and praying for his speedy recovery. Am sure this too shall pass but hang in there while it lasts. Hugs!
Im so sorry to hear that…sometimes life just piles on…hang in there..it will all get better soon. Hugs.
Me: Reminds of the line in Love Aaj Kal.
S,
Hang in there ! Hope your FIL gets better soon.
Sujatha
Praying for your FIL’s speedy recovery. Meanwhile, you hang in there and enlist the help of friends and neighbors if needed. How’s Ashwina?
hey.. stay tight … your FIL will be fine. God is there and he will be wikth you guys.
Take care.
Very sad , hope your doing alright and laso hope your FIL recovers soon.
OMG! Hugs Sunita. Hope you and family get through these times easily. Don’t worry, you will simply sail through these times, i am sure you will plan up some fun with the kids. It will be tough, but knowing you, i am sure you will make the best of it. Hugs sweety!
I thought I left a comment here, as well as on fb, but don’t see them in either places.
Me:Thanks GM. I dont know what happened to your previous comments.
So sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Sending prayers and wishes for good health your way.