About two weeks prior to leaving, Brandon started having crying episodes and begging me to please not go. This lasted up until the night before I left. It was very hard emotionally for both of us. I explained to him that this was not much different than my business travel, but I was traveling a little further. We even looked up Beatle information in France and Italy to show him how the Beatles traveled. Nothing really worked. I texted Brandon some from France and Italy and texted Chris and Ross. Brandon really did very well while I was gone and much better now that I have returned. So we passed this hurdle. But these things sometimes come in threes or fours.
The night before I left for Paris, I received a call from the assistant living facility where my mom resides (3:30 in the morning). They were concerned that my mom was not doing well and wanted us to come over and check on her. It was 3:30 in the morning prior to me leaving for the airport at 8:00 am. The "we" and "us" in this instance is me and my bother. I called my brother and asked if he could go over to the facility. He did. He got my mom back into bed, but I knew by the end of the weekend she may be hospitalized and Jim would be handling this alone. This is the bad thing about having a small family. Sure enough she was hospitalized and had surgery for removal of a tumor in her intestines. She is 91 so we were not sure she would survive. She has done fairly week and yesterday we moved her to a skilled nursing facility. So far so good, Jim was a rock star brother and son last week.
When I landed in Paris, my phone rang and it was my Aunt Sue. She has no kids and Jim and I care for her as well. I could not get a signal. I let Jim know and it turned out not to be anything major.
On Thursday prior to leaving, Patrick (Brandon's brother) called me. He had just received confirmed orders that he is leaving for Iraq for 1 year service. He is in the Air Force. I did not want to tell Brandon until I returned. That would have been too much for him. Brandon loves his brother and Patrick leaving for Iraq will be difficult for Brandon. He understands the risks associated with Patrick's travels. This has been hard for everyone, especially because 1 year is very long. But we are also proud of Patrick for his service in the Air Force and his commitment to protecting the United States. We will all miss seeing him but will stay in touch while he is there.
I left Austin with a horrible cold. I thought I was at the end of it, but I supported the French and Italian pharmacies while I was there to help with the chest congestion and coughing. I managed to not focus on being sick while I was there. I went to Europe with friends Kate, Meredith and Karen. We all had a great time. Below are a few of the pictures of the trip.
I am back now to turning my attention to those items Brandon will need to focus on for the next year to help with his independence. We are so lucky to have a great deal of help. Chris has a list of items we have identified for Brandon at home, UT has a list of items and the school has a list of items. They are all related and all great for Brandon's success. When we get the list together I will post in hopes to help other parents think of some ideas for their children transitioning.
All is good for now.
Leah
PARIS FRANCE PICTURES
NICE FRANCE AND SURROUNDING AREAS PICTURES
ITALY PICTURES
PERINALDO ITALY
TRUFFLE FESTIVAL ALBA ITALY
LA MORRA and OTHER ITALY
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