B+W Wednesday: Nai Nai

My mom moved back to New England two years ago when Isabel was only two.

She is an amazing woman who raised the three of us as single mom.

She instilled within us a love for music, a sense of humor, the joy of storytelling and the importance of an education. She is tough and compassionate.

As they say... velvet steel.

She is also a survivor.

Almost eighteen years ago, she was diagnosed with a rare terminal disease.

She was given three months to live.

While her life has most definitely been compromised by the disease,

she has clearly beaten the odds.

This past year has been a rough one for her medically.

In September she had open heart surgery.

A month later, back surgery which resulted in serious complications.

Being halfway across the country was both frustrating and sobering.

There were days when I didn't know if I would ever see her again.

But...

she is a fighter who (in her own words) "gets her Irish up" at times.

I am so thankful to have her visiting with us this week.

She is Isabel's only grandparent.

It warms my heart to walk in the front door and see them together.

On Sunday I had a cook-out for her and invited a bunch of folks to celebrate with us.

Folks from the 19 years she lived here came to see their friend.

The joy was palpable.