My romantic hopes of my mother's last thoughts here with us
She draws a ragged breath and thinks about the past
Mom and Daddy
Small towns in the desert
Babysitting, high school
Meeting the man
Marriage, that little church
Babies born, babies cared for
Living in a rented basement
She draws another breath and thinks back
Moving to a small house in the country
Building, tearing down, rebuilding
Changing faiths
Little boys underfoot
She draws another breath and remembers
Boys leaving the house
One to college, one to a career
Left and right they seem to be
Empty nest, quiet
She draws another breath and recalls
Sons getting married.....and remarried
Husband working in the same plant
Bible studies, church work
Finally finding a bit of time for her
She draws another breath and ponders the years
Retirement, peace, happiness
Visits from the kids and grandkids
Her father's last days
He called her punk.
She draws another breath and thinks about the last year
The doctors telling her
Her own acceptance, the denial from others
The refusal to alter her faith
What to do with her mom
She draws another breath and tries to smile
Last night when her kids and husband gathered
They spent most of the evening on the patio
Watching a fire
But they came in a lot to say hi
To say "I love you"
To say goodbye without using the words
They didn't know if she heard
She did
She draws another breath and pauses....
....She thinks
Your life doesn't flash before your eyes
It takes a bit.
She draws her last breath......
......And looks to her future