Evolution

If there were ever an argument for the validity of evolution, it would begin with the amazingly useless human organ, the appendix. Known only to mankind for it's ability to wreak havoc on a mundane Monday night to an otherwise supremely fit and healthy bear.

Or so I'm told.

For those that don't know, Papa Bear came down with a nasty case of appendicitis last Monday night and subsequently had said vestigial structure surgically removed on Tuesday. Ever the overachiever (or, perhaps just tired of his "home health care") he decided to be readmitted (well, really, the surgeon decided that part) on Friday due to a "postoperative complication". I'll spare you the details. But, let's just say that if Papa Bear didn't lose his dignity during the first hospital visit, I GUARANTEE YOU he lost it the second go round. However, it was worth the loss of dignity to get him feeling better. (So saith me.)

I'm a week behind on everything (especially sleep), but a week full of gratitude. So many bears jumped to our aid, all of them at the right time, with the right things. Being torn between my cubs at home and needing to care for my spouse was challenging, but knowing that they were safe in the arms of dear friends made it much more tolerable. I am indebted to these fine bears for so much, not the least of which was dealing with Sugar Bear's potty training regression last week. Eek.

But also things like:

• Dropping everything at their own house to oversee my house while we rushed to the ER
• Waking up extra early to check on our status and change cub watching shifts
• Clothing and feeding my cubs, getting them to school, picking them up from school, entertaining them, loving them, etc...
• talking me off of the ledge via text when I had reached the end of my rope
• bringing me a breakfast burrito and the (much needed) strongest cup of coffee I've ever had
• packing a bag of things from home I might need
• knowing, without asking, that a change of undergarments and socks would be exactly what I needed (and knowing where to find them!) after 2 nights in the same clothes
• packing snacks and advil. Oh, for the love of all things holy, that advil saved my life
• Figuring out the little details I couldn't
• Telling me you are bringing dinner. (And knowing that you would have to tell me, not ask me) And bringing comfort food at it's finest.
• Dropping off a perfect Sunday lunch (with leftovers!). And ignoring the fact that I was still in my pajamas. At noon.

These things are just a few of the wonderful things you all did for me. I'll take these over flowers any day.

I was on the phone with My Daddy Bear updating him on all these things and he said, "Wow! You guys have some great friends."

Indeed we do. Indeed.