Away from Home

Thank you to our friends - at home, here in San Francisco, and elsewhere - who've made it possible for the girls and I to be here at UCSF with Sami for these last 10 days. We are grateful!

Ten days ago, Emma and I watched an EMT crew wheel Sami out of the emergency room at Sutter Roseville Medical Center. We ran home, showered, fed the animals, packed our bags, and followed her to UCSF. Later that evening, Lara flew in from New Mexico. Since that day, we’ve alternated sleeping in Sami’s hospital room or sleeping in the living room of some nearby friends. Thanks to these friends, we’ve enjoyed a couple of home cooked meals; more often, we’ve eaten in the hospital cafeteria or in nearby restaurants. I think I can safely speak for all four of us - we’re tired of being away from home.

As cities go, I have to admit that I like San Francisco more than most. I generally like winter more than summer, and so I find summer in San Francisco to be enjoyable. I like the diversity, the food, the color. I’ve enjoyed the mile walk between the hospital and our friends’ home. But the novelty of being here has worn off for me - I’m ready to wake up in my own bed, wash up in my own shower, pet my own dogs.

Between part-time sheep-raising and a full-time job, I don’t typically leave home for long stretches. I can’t remember the last time I took a 10-day vacation. With mules and a horse, chickens, dogs, and a cat at home, being gone requires help - thankfully, many of our friends have stepped in to make sure critters have been fed, gardens have been watered, and sheep have been moved during these last 10 days. I imagine the lawns will need to be mowed - or maybe grazed! when we finally get home!

I find that being gone from home makes me appreciate some of the things I take for granted. Sipping my morning coffee on the back deck. Hearing the occasional owl that roosts in the gray pine near our bedroom. Relaxing with my dog Mae lying at my feet in the evening. Sleeping with the window open and awakening to that annoying mockingbird that likes to start singing just before sunrise. Eating vegetables from our garden and barbecuing meat that we raised.

We’re hoping to be able to go home this weekend, but our schedule is dependent on the schedules of others. We’re waiting for our insurance company to approve a short stay in an acute rehabilitation facility. Typical of the mess that is our health care system, they told me yesterday they’d get right on it - in 5-10 business days. I’m hoping Sami’s health care team has more pull than I do. I’m hoping we don’t have to be away from home too much longer.