self care

After emptying half of Mother’s condiments and seasonings into a massive mixing bowl, Mother’s mock disbelief earned a hearty chortle from Dad, “Get out of the kitchen woman!”

Forced separations left us feeling confused, afraid and lonely.

Leaving was difficult on Mother, but it was devastating for Dad; after that, he found hospital visits increasingly more difficult.

Where we played in the grass and giggled with delight when Dad gave us airplane rides on his feet.

Dad's grief was so intense that he drove haphazardly.

I never figured out just what it meant, nor did I ever learn just how to “back my ears,” but I know how to dive in fully at a Thanksgiving table laden with scrumptious food.

Heavy-hearted parents conversed sporadically while the wheels moved continually across the flat Texas land.