From Large With Love, I’m Leaving But I’m Going Home

I'm a momma's boy. Always have been. Always will be.

And that beautiful lady you see in the photo with me, that's my momma. She lives in Mississippi.

That's where I was born.

That's where I've been.

And that's where I'll be.

Cause this momma's boy made her a promise a long time ago.

It's time to make good on that and go home to do what I'm supposed to do and take care of my mom.

Previously, on Mornings At Large

I took off and landed in Greenville, Mississippi back in March. The 23rd to be exact. The week before that, I learned that mom called an ambulance one night and was taken to the hospital. Prior to that, she complained of stomach pain and issues but it didn't seem that serious. Now there was an ambulance, a week in the hospital, and she was released on Sunday, March 20th. I was there the Wednesday (March 23rd) after that.

I showed up and thought I'd be there for two weeks to find out what was wrong and help get her on the road to recovery.

Tests, doctor visits, trips to Jackson, Mississippi (which is two hours away - four hours round trip), procedures, lots of medications, her eating and not eating, her in pain, digestive issues, etc.

There were stomach issues. Intestinal issues. Kidney issues.

A good visit from her oncologist. Then a discussion with her primary care doctor.

Eary April, we found out she was going to be admitted to the hospital for surgery to straighten out some of those intestinal issues.

For those of you keeping score, I left March 23rd for what I thought was two weeks. On April 11th we found out she was going in for surgery. We checked into the hospital on April 18th. The procedure happened on the 20th. We didn't leave the hospital until Friday, April 29th.

Practically two weeks in the hospital and I had anticipated being gone only for two weeks.

At this point, it was a little over a month of me being gone and here with mom.

And it was at this point, in the hospital, my mother had no less than four tubes and wires coming out of her. Not to mention she was being fed pretty much through a nutrition bag, she was on a pain pump, and she was so medicated it seemed like she had no short-term memory.

But God...

If It Had Not Been For the Grace Of God.

All through this entire journey, mom has held onto her faith. Her three favorite things to say...

God is still in control.

I got me a Jesus.

All is well.

 

I'm not going to keep on going on and on about everything.

But I will say this. No matter where you are in your life with your faith, if it had not been for the grace of God, I would not be here because of the way I have lived my life and my battles in sobriety. But my God is a healer. And my mother is a praying momma. And she prayed me through a lot of things. In spite of myself, God saved me and spared me and I know that this woman, my momma was talking to him daily about and for me.

For that, I am thankful. And blessed. And I remember a promise I made her a long time ago.

We had a discussion. She said if she ever got sick, to please make sure that she wasn't put in a home or left for someone else to take care of her.

I promised her I would not do that. I said I'd be there.

She's not at that point right now but this journey she's on...she will not do it alone.

I am her only child. My father is alive and they are friends but he's got a life and a wife.

She was married but her husband is with the Lord now.

She's got sisters. One lives in town near her. Others are relatively close.

But I am her son. I could be a short flight away.

Or I could be right there with here.

So for Momma Large...momma, I'm coming home.

For you my friends and family, I know you understand.

I thank you for all your love and support. Your time and getting used to waking up with me. Starting your days with me and Maitlynn. Letting me (us) into your life, your hearts, your morning routines.

I love you Lansing and Mid-Michigan. I can't even start to name people and places because I'd forget someone, something, or someplace. And I can't do that to you.

Just know I'm crying as I type this. And smiling.

Because you listened and loved me. You blessed me. So very much. And I can't thank you enough.

My God you are all so wonderful.

But, I made a promise.

I am a momma's boy.

So this ain't goodbye.

I'm going home.

Until we meet again on this road of happy destiny, may God bless you and keep you.

Amen.

Go Green. Go White.

And never forget CMU spanked you in '91 & '92 back-to-back suckas lol.

Yall know I couldn't leave without a Fire Up Chips!

Hit the music....