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Sitting on my Mom’s South Florida screen porch mid afternoon. Light breeze is wafting through the fronds of my favorite palm tree that stands like a guardian at the door. Engaged in conversation, imagining that we are on the beach that she no longer has the energy to get to, as a result of the Congestive Heart Failure that has turned this once active octogenarian into someone who some days, sleeps more than she is awake.
On this day, I am reading to her from Karen Drucker’s book Let Go Of The Shore and she smiles in recognition at some of the concepts expressed therein. Two ducks are listening in, wagging their tail feathers as they perch in front of the porch.
Above us are two sets of wind chimes that respond randomly to the gentle wind that moves through them. Their delightful song serenades us as we chat….we who are mother in the 8th decade of her life and daughter in the 5th decade of her own. Kindred spirits who share a history and a destiny.
What gifts can you appreciate this day? The sights and sounds? The company of a loved one? Or simply being moved by life like the breeze through wind chimes?
posted September 29, 2010 at 3:42 pm
mmm…I feel as if I am there with the two of you! Having recently been with a mom who was at the end of this life with all the sweetness and challenges, this so moved me. Dear Bliss Goddess…my mom had a favorite set of chimes…on her patio in her yard which was her sanctuary. Every morning when mom gave me a wake up phone call and we talked about our plans for the day, I could hear them gently chiming in the background. When mom passed my brother took the chimes and hung them up on his front porch. Recently, while we were talking by phone he walked onto his front porch. I could hear the chimes and knew my mom was right there with us.
posted September 29, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Anna:
Thank you for sharing your memory of you mother and the parallels with your experience. I do believe that those we love never really leave us and their presence is felt in all kinds of ways.
Blissings,
Edie