Aunt Mop

Kevin's amazing Grandma has had a very rough go of it these past several months.  She spent the end of last year in and out of the hospital followed by a stay at Kevin's parents' house so that they could help her get around.  Unfortunately she ended up back in the hospital several weeks ago.  She took a turn for the worse and was admitted to ICU.  The doctors weren't sure how things would play out and asked that the family be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best.  Kevin was not doing well being on this end of the phone calls and decided mid-week last week to fly out to visit with her.  He left late on Thursday and flew home on Saturday afternoon.  It was a very quick trip but he needed to be there with her and with his family.   

When he booked his ticket we weren't sure what the next few days would hold.  In my heart, I knew she would pull through.  She is, next to my Mom, the strongest woman I know.  Don't let her pretty face and sweet demeanor fool you into thinking you can push her around because she is one tough cookie.  Just as my heart told me, she surprised the doctors and lent a sigh of relief to her family and pulled through yet again.  She's in a specialty hospital in Panama City where they are working to rehabilitate her.  She's receiving more personalized attention because it is a smaller setting.  She'll have a short 25 day stay there where they will try to get her back on her feet and able to do more on her own and after that time they will get a handle on how she's doing and figure out what the next steps will be.  I wouldn't doubt it if she shocks and surprises everyone once again.  She hasn't been out of bed or walked in weeks but she's the type that you can imagine not walking....but running out of there when she's released.  Truly. 

I've had the pleasure of having "Aunt Mop" in my life for 18 years now.  She is full of spunk and a lover of life.  She has so many great stories about her days as a pool shark and back when she was a pro at darts.  You might be wondering about the whole Aunt Mop bit.  I was too.  No one we asked could remember details as to how she came about that nickname but they think it has something to do with her hair resembling a mop at one point.  It may have started as Mopsie and then, eventually, shortened to Aunt Mop and sometimes just Mop.  You'll even catch Kevin and Keith dropping Grandma and instead opting for Mop at times.  Me? I've stuck with Grandma but I love hearing the others say it.

If you're reading this and talk to the big man upstairs, please throw one up for Grandma Turner/Aunt Mop/Mop.  There are a lot of us out here that can't imagine life without her and who are pulling hard for her to make it through.  Praying that He answers our prayers.  We love you!

Upon learning that Great Grandma Turner had taken a turn for the worst, Reese was instantly devastated.  She rolled herself up in a ball and cried.  We calmed her down enough to convince her to let it all out by way of a letter so that's what she did. 

She was crushed when she found out that she wouldn't be able to make the trip to Florida with Kevin but we are all holding onto the hope of seeing her when we're there in July. 

Keep fighting Grandma.  We're not there at your side but we are all there in spirit, in our hearts, and in our prayers.   We all love you so very much.