Image by AS Photograpy from Pixabay
When I was growing up, I rarely heard the words "I love you." This doesn't mean I grew up in an unloving home or had terrible parents. Neither of those would be true. Mom just didn't express her love with those three little words.
My mom showed love in other ways.
Fixing our favorite dinner on our birthday.
Donuts on Sunday nights.
Timing Sunday dinner so all four kids could be at the table.
Saturday trips to the library and Saturday nights on the couch reading our books.
Rolling my hair in pink sponge rollers to try and control my naturally curly hair.
And Christmas. Mom made Christmas extra special even when times were tough.
These days, I go and visit her in the memory care unit. I sit beside her, rub her shoulders and hands, and tell her about my day, what the weather is like outside, and what Megan and Ethan are doing. Our visits are becoming more difficult as she stares into space and mumbles a few incoherent words.
When I leave, I tell her when I will be back to see her next, hope she has a restful night, and "I love you, Momma."
And in those few minutes of our goodbye, she looks at me and clearly says three little words...
"I love you."
Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we
share a slice of life during the month of March.
