#best09 Do I Really Want to Do This? December 1. What was your best trip in 2009?

Mum and I 1985

For some this would be a simple task, but for us 2009 was the year of Nanna. My mother was deathly ill in the first quarter of this year. Dying. Bleeding slowly, painfully, inch by horrific inch, to death. Inoperable bladder tumour. Unsuitable for surgery due to her age: 89; her health: chronic osteoporosis, atrial fibrilation, history of TIA; and the discriminatory attitude of doctors. All that changed on February 13th when she was rushed to hospital haemorrhaging. New specialist, new attitude, new life. Or maybe just the gift of her old one back. Slowly she regained strength, and claimed back her world.

So I guess the best trip for me was driving her home from the hospital, knowing she was cancer-free (yes, one massive 5cm tumour gone, completely). We even stopped at Maccas on the way. She turned 90 in October and is still living by herself, managing her financial affairs on her computer spreadsheets, laughing at life once more. Love you Mum, you are my strength.

Oh, and no holidays yet, but we are going away just after Christmas. I can leave her again now, she is so very well.