I never realized just how much my mom has aged until we had breakfast this morning.  I knew Mom hadn't been well for quite some time, but it was clearly evident just by her appearance just how sick she truly was.

Mom used to be chunky; now she was nothing but skin and bones.  Her clothes hung like rags on her now skinny frame; her arms and legs were mere sticks, and her face was sallow and pinched; dark circles encircled her eyes, and she seemed fragile in appearance.  What I saw truly devastated me.

Mom's hair also turned completely grey; she looked more like 90 than 60.

When I asked Mom about what was going on, she shortly retorted, "Nothing.  Just a little bug that I can't seem to shake.  Been to the doctor's, but he says it's nothing."  

I wasn't so sure.  I had a feeling she was hiding something from me, but each time I pressed the issue, Mom got short with me.  She then snapped, "If that is all you're gonna talk about, then you can just take me home right now!  I don't need you ragging on me about my health as well!  I am sick and tired of people pokin' their sorry noses into my business!"

Her outburst shocked me.  Mom had never been known to be curt to anybody; why was she taking it out on me??  All I did was inquire about her health because I was only being concerned, as only a caring daughter should be!  My eyes filled with tears; I desperately tried to blink them back.

I knew I had to do something and fast, but what??  I had to talk to her doctor or at least my own doctor, to see if anything could be done to help Mom before she got worse or (God forbid!) ended up in a hospital ER!!

~To be continued!~