We Won't Be Afraid - 2023 03 22

 

As I enter Mom’s room this morning, she asks, out of nowhere, “Would you like a piece of cake?”

“A piece of cake?” I laugh, “Yes I would actually like a piece of cake.”

Mom’s gestures to her cup of tea on her bedside table, “You take a little sip of that just now.”

I continue, “You know what I have been wanting?”

“What have you been wanting?”

“I’ve been wanting a piece of cake to celebrate me and Matt’s anniversary.”

“Oh! Was that part of that wedding thing you gave me?” Yesterday I had brought out our little carved wedding box, it holds our wedding vows, a crystal and the shawl we used in the ceremony. Mom had sat for sometime going through the contents of the box, reading the vows, examining the shawl, and holding the crystal in her hands.

She was making a connection between the wedding box and my desire for a piece of cake.

She asks, “That was the anniversary time?”

“Yes, we got married on March 20, 2007…”

“March 20th, the beginning of spring…”

“Yes, and we haven’t had any cake yet!”

“Oh!” Mom laughs, hard, “That’s terrible!” 

“Don’t you think we should have some cake, Mother?”

“Yes, you certainly should.”

I conclude, “Then that is the plan. We are going to get a chocolate cake. All is well.”

A few minutes later, Mom is looking very sad. She starts to cry and says, “We won’t be afraid.”

I hold her hand, “No, Mom, we don’t need to be afraid. I’ll get your Rice Crispies.” 

She brightens, “Oh, that will be fine then.”