It had been more than a week since I had talked to Mom. This is nearly unheard of in our world, but it does occasionally happen. My busy life with three kids and their busy retirement life are the culprits.

So last night when Dad called to see if I knew about my brother's trip to Korea encountering problem after problem that eventually required him to come home to Missouri from Seattle, I was finally able to catch Mom up on what's going on in our lives.

"Did you know No. 2 has a double ear infection," I asked her.

"No, no didn't know that," she said.

"No. 3 is recovering nicely from her upper respiratory nastiness, but The Mr. is still battling a rough cough," I told her.

"OK, OK. And how are things going with the pump?" she wanted to know. (READ MORE)