Family up to the eyeballs

Over twenty years ago, I came up to Chicago and then never really left. Sometimes I wonder if my father and his wife are aiming to do the same thing. The day before my father was released, my stepmom went in with crippling pain due to a back injury she was due to have surgery for in STL the day after my dad had his bypass. They ended up admitting her (and--in an inspired burst of perversity--giving her a room on the same floor as my dad but in a different building). Now she's having it here tomorrow. If all goes well, the two of them will be heading back down Wednesday at the latest, but I'll believe that when I see it.

We haven't really been worried per se--these haven't been immediately life-threatening conditions and the standard of medical care they've been receiving is excellent--but we have had to live with uncertainty. How can I schedule anything when I know that any day my father could be coming here to crash for a couple days? I've managed to fit in a little fun here and there, but always with a cell phone within reach and the nagging feeling that I should be calling someone to fill them in about something.

After all, a day doesn't go by any more than I don't speak to at least two or three of my relatives, sometimes more. Since of course the Chicago drama isn't enough; I also have to keep following up with my mom as well (and coordinating with my siblings who are trying to do the same). Sometimes I regret not living in St Louis where I could be of more immediate help to her and my sister. Then it occurs to me that if I did, basically every weekend would be like this and I remember why I stayed up here in the first place.