So, my mom had a stroke 14 days ago.

When my father had heart issues and surgery a decade ago, I didn't realize how much stress and worry my mother shouldered to keep her children protected the best should could.

Now I'm holding the family together the best I can. Being the best daughter to my father and mother, the best sister to my siblings, and the best wife to my husband. Nurse, maid, teacher, friend.

Mom's making small improvements every day. The doctors expect her to recover completely (or as completely as a stroke survivor will) and say that recovery just takes time. Weeks. Months. Sometimes years.

Baby steps. "The father becomes the son and the son becomes the father."