Member-only story
Mother’s Day
Exploring the Unwritten Chapters of Mother-Daughter Friendship
Oh, The Fun We’d Have, If Mom Were Here Today
First, let me apologize for the lousy photo. It’s the only photo I have of Mom and me together. In the 1970s, we didn’t have selfies, and my wedding, funded by me, a waitress, didn’t allow for a photographer. I have no memory of the family friend who played photographer that day.
Mom’s been gone for 23 years, yet the longing for her company is as intense now as it was then, maybe even more. Although grief and mourning fade, I don’t think wanting your mom ever leaves you.
My imaginings
The dreamy pictures in my head, wishing she was still around, are comic and fantastical. If Mom were here now, she would be 99 years old. She’d hate it.
When Mom’s tiny, pretty feet could no longer handle spike heels in her late seventies, she was miserable. Can you imagine her disgust with what comes with being 99 years old?
In my fantasy, we are both my age, and exuberatingly joyous.
I guess it’s because I understand her now. We’d be besties for sure, staying up all night, chatting, doing facials and manicures, eating chocolate ice cream.
