But am I "the kindest and most thoughtful?"

My auntie thinks so. Two weeks ago, when I was on vacation in Hollywood, she was admitted to the hospital with mysterious and crippling pain in her gut. It was duodenal diverticulosis and emergency surgery was required. She was frightened and in a great deal of pain, both before and after her surgery.

I called her hospital in Sarasota. She mentioned in her text message that her condition was rather rare, so I didn't want to bother any of her team while they were giving care. I just asked them to 1) let her know I called and 2) the exact address I could send where I could send a floral arrangement.

I changed my mind and went with this plant. I knew she was likely to be in the hospital for a long while I didn't like thinking of her stuck in bed, watching the flowers die. I'm glad I did it. The plant made her happy, and that's when she declared me "the kindest and most thoughtful" person she knows. I think it was especially important to her because she's estranged from her oldest son and two of her grandchildren. 

I was feeling guilty that I didn't stop to see her when I was in Tampa in February. I just couldn't. She is so proudly MAGA, so loudly racist and homophobic, and can't resist being provocative. But now here she is, 77 and in crisis, and I missed a recent opportunity to spend time with her. 

But then she started posting to social media from her hospital bed. She was upset about Tucker Carlson's dismissal, going on about how he was the victim of the brainless woke mob. Now this isn't true. But that doesn't stop her from spreading misinformation.

I didn't engage her. She's sick and she's medicated and I'm not going to let Fox News come between us at a time like this.

But I'm also no longer sorry I didn't spend time with her earlier this year. It wouldn't have gone well. I don't think she'd still think I'm "the kindest and most thoughtful" if we had. Better that I hold her tight but at arm's length. 

May is almost upon us -- that's Mother's Day and her birthday. I have a package here and I'll drop it in the mail on Monday. It's a pair of books I think she'll like and a little get well present. I know she misses her son and grandkids a lot this time of year and I'll try to fill the void. From a distance.