i just wanted to say a quick "thank you" to all of you that post your cookie photos. i just joined cake central this year and was having so much fun decorating cookies and sharing them on-line with all of you. however, in may my mother fell ill and needs constant 24 hour care so i can no longer bake and decorate cookies for now.
i am so grateful to all of you that share your cookies pictures - i am able to log on for just a few minutes a day to view everyone's new cookie pictures. just viewing everyone's pictures brings a little sunshine into my day.
Kalico, so sorry for you and your mother! Like Kos said, we are here for you. Don't forget to take care of yourself too! hang in there!
kalico--my prayers are with you and your mother.
As someone that works in the medical field, I see people that forget about themselves when taking care of loved ones. Check into agencies that offer respite care so you can take some time for you. Also check into home health, your mother may be eligible for some services.
And you can always turn here to unload. We have all been at that spot where we need a shoulder. Love you!
Everyone - thank you so much for your words of encouragement.
Mac - we are recieving a home health care nurse and physical therapist once a week, so that helps a bit. I was given a crash course in nursing.
I am looking forward to decorating cookies again but right now, I am exhausted. I've had to quit my regular job and cancel all my cookie orders. I let many people down with their wedding and graduation orders.
kalico
I am so sorry you are going through this.......
May I please ask a question: I'm just wondering why you "had" to quit your job?
According to Federal Government and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) "Covered employers must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition."
Was your employer under 50 employees or were you part-time? Even so, many small companies honor this law through their employee benefits......if not, I am so sorry and believe that you are better off without that employer!
I will put your mother on my prayer list.
Tiptop57 - thank you for your concern. yes, i was aware of the family leave act. and yes, i was a part timer. they already gave me my maximum leave time allowed since i have been out since may. my employer has been more than accomodating and i have no regrets leaving my job - for the second time. i have been working at my pharmacy for 18 years now and 2 years ago i had to quit to care for my mother. she lives on a different island from me so i had to move there. her condition improved, so i was able to return to my same job - but i only went back part time because she still needed to be checked on periodically.
but this time, her organs are failing and she went into septic shock. she pulled out of it but is still very weak. i have moved her here with me in honolulu and just want to make the rest of her life as comfortable as i can.
she just asked me today "arent you going to bake cookies again?"
Wow, Kalico.
I can relate to what you're going through! My father was very ill in 1988 with cancer. Even though I was newly married (2 years) and had a new baby, I took off to help Mom with him. It is literally a 24 hour a day struggle! 
This is a time of serious heartache for you, and it will be a long time before you are able to heal and live for you again. Try to take care--and take a few moments (it sounds cliche', but it helps) every day just for you.
I send you my most sincere thoughts of peace and positive energy, both for you and your mother.
Blessings,
--Knox--
Kalico, my heart goes out to you and bless you for taking care of your mom. My father, who has cancer but not in as critical shape as your mom, lives in Florida and my mother is also retired so she takes care of him, but the worry of his condition is always on my mind and in my heart. We fear this time he will not be able to beat it. Our only hope is that he is well enough to travel in November for my daughter's wedding.
I giggled when you wrote she asked if you were making cookies. Know what, maybe you should whip up a batch.......just the smell of them baking may brighten her spirits for a day and it sounds like she might like that.
Good luck and our prayers are with you!
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