Two Elephants in a Bathtub

The doctors said Mom couldn't be alone. In June I resigned from my teaching position packed some belongings and headed south-with three kids two cats and a dog-to St Augustine Florida to take care of mom. Mom had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a respiratory disease and every breath exhausted her. I thought Mom and I could fight this illness together. I pictured happy days where we would picnic as a family at the beach tour the town for garage sales eat at wharf-side restaurants and spend long nights watching classic television. Instead Mom's illness took hold of our whole family. We began twenty-four-hour care. Mom needed us and we were vigilant. Our life became emergency-room waits hospital visits pharmacy runs and long nights of asking for God's help. Two Elephants in a Bathtub is a chronological account of those days. Mom's courage enveloped our family. I pass this story along with pride and hope that it will inspire any family with an elderly relative battling against time and terminal illness. This isn't a story about loss. This is a story about love.