Do Things Come In Threes?

I don't know if I'm the only person who seems to think that things come in threes, whether it's weddings, births or deaths. I do hope I'm wrong.

On top of parting from Mr Smelly, my dear old cat on Saturday, my mother has been admitted to hospital. She took a fall two weeks ago and broke a rib, but this time, she became dizzy, fell and was taken in by ambulance. The hospital don't know what's wrong with her, but she isn't conscious much of the time, can barely talk and is desperately weak. Talking to the ward staff, I got the impression they were trying to prepare me for the worst. I haven't been able to see my mother, as she is over five hours drive from me, and my hip prevents me from travelling for more than half an hour without severe pain and hospital precautions say I shouldn't either.

My sister has flown in from Paris and has spent the weekend visiting my mother, and making all the arrangements she can to prepare for every eventuality. We have spoken at length, but it feels awful not being there organising things, as I was always the one who did that - still, my sister is doing a sterling job and I'm proud of her. It seems that my mother isn't really coherent for more than a moment and my sister struggled to communicate with her, so it's all a bit worrying.

And the threes? Well, if my mother doesn't make it and she is added to Mr Smelly, and she's in her 80s and not the healthiest by a mile, that's still only two and I figure stomping on an ant won't count for the third... then again, maybe I'll go and stomp, just in case. I do hope Hecate tires of walking by my side soon, this has been a tough week.