Last night, you came to our room. You had woken up and couldn’t go back to sleep. Daddy invited you into bed with us. You climbed in and found your spot between us. A spot you had not used in longer than I can remember. You quickly drifted off to sleep. As did I. I woke up several times to check on you. I couldn’t help but smile when I opened my eyes. Your precious face so close to...
Will They Remember?
When my kids grow up and start their own life… when they have their own kids… What will they remember? Who will they remember? Will they remember the mornings with a cranky mom who needed more sleep? Or the nights she was there for them when they woke up from a bad dream? Will they remember the mom who constantly nagged about all the things? Or the mom who cared enough to worry about...
Sunday Afternoon
A quiet Sunday at home. Bellies are full. Air conditioner is blowing. Dishwasher is running. Laundry is done. Kids are happy. One is honing her VR gaming skills. The other is playing chess with Daddy. I sit with my notebook. White blueberry tea fills my cup. Each doing our own thing. All in the same room. Physically close together. Our hearts even closer. I breathe in the moment. I close my eyes...
They’re Gone
An unexpected visit. 4 days of laughter and food. Cuddles and stories. Big hugs and Asian kisses. Today, we say goodbye. Waving as they drive away. The house is quiet. Somber. Holding back tears. Extra hugs with the kids. Time to clean up. Dishes are washed. Counters are cleaned. Towels are washed. Bathrooms are cleaned. Blankets are washed. Floors are cleaned. All is done. House is clean. Like...
Gathered Pieces
Memories. Boxes of memories. Gathered items collected over the span of her life. Pieces of her life carefully placed in boxes and moved from house to house, as she moved from town to town. Pieces believed to symbolize moments of her life. Pieces believed to be made up of pieces of her. Pieces believed to define her, as she is today. Irreplaceable pieces. Year after year, more and more pieces were...
Precious Time
On October 30th, I drove 5 hours by myself, leaving my husband and kids at home, to be there for my mom’s surgery the next day. On Halloween, she had a double mastectomy. I still find myself pausing when I say those words. Still trying to comprehend it all, I guess. This trip was the first time I had ever spent a night away from either of my children. Even when I stayed a few days in the...