Rob and Scarlett got me a new phone for Mother’s Day. It worked for a few hours, and then just kept turning off. Although I will need to get it fixed or replaced eventually, I found that I was in no hurry yesterday to do so. When I have a phone around, I’m always on it, and I’m sure that most people reading this are the same way. I’m checking my to-do list, scrolling through Facebook, reading email, sending Bitmojis, doing crossword puzzles, even paging through books. Occasionally, I use it to make phone calls. But yesterday, I couldn’t do any of that and it was sort of awesome.
We met my sister and her family at a playground, and I got to hold Fiona in my lap almost the entire time. There was no room for a phone. Then I hung out with Scarlett while she cleaned the garage, because that is the kind of child labor I can get behind. I read a magazine, and threatened her with various consequences when she started whining that the job was too hard. Ha ha, Mother’s Day wins. Again, I was happy to be phoneless, so that I could really focus on my task of drill sergeanting.
Don’t feel sorry for Scarlett. She’s the one who messed up the garage in the first place. And when she was done, she had my undivided attention as I watched her hanging pieces of art on the walls for an upcoming exhibit that she tells me will open at 4 AM. “How do you spell 4 o’clock in the morning?”
Then we met up with my sister and the gang again for dinner at a little seafood place, where we ate oysters and drank white wine. Rob’s phone came in handy for a few pictures, but I was still happy not to have mine. I was vaguely aware that I should call my mother, my grandmother, and my mother-in-law, and send Mother’s Day text love to my girlfriends. But that didn’t outweigh the satisfaction of going screenless for the day.
I should go to the Apple Store today, because it’s not very responsible of me to not have a phone. What if Scarlett’s school needs to get in touch with me? What if Rob is running late and needs to let me know? What if I’m missing important Bitmojis that say profound things like “Ugh, Monday” or “High five!”
I need to warn you, this post is about to take a serious turn.
I just took a break from writing to see what has been happening on Facebook this weekend, and here is something that I did miss by not having a phone (or using a computer) yesterday. My friend Angela Serota Phillips, who is in my Facebook Moms with ALS group, passed away in her sleep. On Mother’s Day. I’m shocked. Angela had only had ALS for about a year—she was diagnosed on May 1, 2015—and I was just getting to know her.
Angela was 41 years old. She had two kids, ages 7 and 5. She was really active in our mom’s group, seeking support, sharing stories, and sometimes just checking in to see how everyone was doing. I definitely didn’t realize how quickly her ALS was progressing, and I just can’t believe that she’s gone.
I am suddenly even more relieved that I put my phone down and spent time with my family yesterday, even though it wasn’t my choice. How quickly things can change. One day, two kids have a mom, and then suddenly they don’t. One moment you’re making stupid jokes in a blog post, and the next moment you feel like someone sat down directly on your heart.
On Mother’s Day? This needs to stop.
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My heart bleeds for you and Angela’s family. You are a part of making ALS history. I love you, N
My aunt Nita died from ALS in 2010. it progressed so fast. Then I hear they have been doing a lot more research check into Deanna’s protocol! Take 2 tblsp of coconut oil!
I’m so sorry to hear of your friend’s passing. At first I thought is was a bad coincidence that my neice Cathy lost her friend to ALS on mothers day and then I realized that they were one in the same. Such a terrible loss for all. I’m glad you got to spend your day in celebration of being such a great mother. Even it was phoneless.. Love you Sarah, keep up the fight.
Sarah, I’m so sad to read this. ALS is such a horrible disease. Stay strong sweet friend. You are a ray of light and inspiration to me and I can only imagine how many others! xoxo
Sarah , how quickly year , a month ,a day goes by .
My thoughts are with you …
I was just getting to know A new friend in my Cancer group . She gave me hope and inspiration and good words of wisdom . Then my life got busier with new chemo treatments and dr .appts on the very Tuesday’s my group meets 2nd Tuesday sometimes 3rd of the month. I took it for granted that I will always see her at the next meeting that could make ….knowing that her latest treatment was working well.
Didn’t realize it was only for a New York second things turned the other way then through a mass email To our group .. She passed. The few times I got to know Lisa I learned so much . She kept up with her blogs and spent as many days as she was able to with her friends … the cell phones were down and she just enjoyed each friends company . I admired her and all the fun trips , events , and her love of running although sparingly , very slow and short ones she inspired me and others to Enjoy doing the things no matter how small or big the task may be but try and learn what your limits are and roll with it !
Reinvent ourselves ! From her words of wisdom I reinvented myself in 2015 . I won’t even start writing how lucky I am to have met a wonderful person , my husband because I would have too much to say or words can even describe. Just my children . I watch how my kids quickly turn into teens.. I love to hear their voices, their silly humor , the spills of milk or water on the counter and encouraging teen Kevin to keep practicing and And he will master the art of pouring ! Amazing how somethings we take for granted can shape kids with a little bit of encouragement.
I still have a lot to learn on how not to mother my teens and be too obnoxious .. A challenge yes but I will still try to reinvent the wheels of teaching adolescence and manhood in different ways as possible and what works .. Just roll with it! And I will continue to improve becoming a better listener . I hope our kids will be just as humble as both my sons step cousins Chris and Rob . A good upringing to watch and learn from encouraging divorced parents . 2 hands up for Janie and Carl ! And of course Tusy how lucky to have them as brothers . And I must add my all my nephews and niceces have turned out great! I cherish and enjoy each moment . Take care Sarah . Looking forward to your next blog .
Oh, wow. This is just horrible. I am so sorry Sarah.