My mom and my youngest sister, Mahasin, were supposed to come visit us down here in Groveton this weekend but due to car troubles with Mahasin's car; a Chrysler Sebring convertible that I'd previously advised my mother not to buy, they weren't able to make it. This is the second time their visit has been scuttled and I feel each miss acutely because my mother is getting up there in years. She was always a small woman, barely touching 5ft at her peak, but now in her 70s she's lost a couple of inches and hugging her feels like wrapping my arms around a paper mâché doll.
I'm at peace with that, I'm fortunate that although we don't see eye to eye on many topics, we've always had an open line of communication for as long as I can remember and she has always been one of my favorite people to talk to. These days each conversation has the feel of a post dinner chat at a fancy restaurant where the staff is much too polite to kick you out but the cheque and tip has long since been picked up. You suddenly remember all of these things that desperately need to be said before parting. We stretch these moments out as long as we can, long strands eventually becoming wisp thin and breaking with a soft pop, with luck etched into our memories forever.
Yesterday we salvaged the day as best we could, I watched Rush Hour with Brendan and Oli, took a long walk with Rubi, and later we capped off the evening with a family game night of Jackbox 3 and 7.
Today is Shardé's birthday and I'm making her breakfast in bed, no really big plans but the boys are all excited about the gifts they picked out for her so we're all looking forward to that. I have to hop off to get started, 'til next time.