Member-only story
THE WIND PHONE
Red Cardinals Outside My Window
Visits from your loved ones after they’ve moved on
The story that has shaped the trajectory of my life is that my mom died when I was only one year old. My mom was the most innocent person who did not deserve her fate: death at an early age, soon after conceiving two kids whom she had long been begging God for.
Therefore, I grew up calling other people “mom” until I learned about my birth mother. I then demoted these people to “aunty.”
As an orphan, I wanted nothing more than to meet my parents. I’m very proud of who I am and am becoming, but if I could restart and exchange it all for the worst — though knowing that I’d go through it all with both of my parents by my side — I’d ask what potion do I have to drink.
As for my dad, he was not in my life (for reasons outside of his control), unfortunately. Again, there was nothing I wanted more in life than to see my parents, especially my mother. I would nearly give up my life in exchange for some time with her.
In a way, though, I think I did that.
Ten years ago, I lost my life. I got hit by a speeding car near my house while walking to the train station. My doctors estimated that the hit had thrown me about 30 feet up in the air. I…
