In August my mother came to visit for two weeks, the first
time in ten years that she’s been able to come to Maine .
For a number of summers she, my dad and aunt came to see us, but as my
dad’s health deteriorated they had to stop.
Coming this year alone was no easy thing, starting with the long flight
from Dallas
which included a frantic change of plane in DC.
My mom is allergic to cats, VERY allergic. She came to
help when Emily was born and ended up in the ER because of a reaction to our
cats. We currently have two beloved cats
that spend a lot of time in the house.
Can you imagine the cleaning we had to do? The rugs and furniture were professionally
done, but the rest was grunt work for Bill and me-every surface
downstairs-windows, curtains, walls, doors, you name it. Also, our guest room
is on the second floor and that was a no go. So we moved furniture, trudging up
and down the stairs time and again, and I’m very proud to show you the sunroom
transformed for mother.
Our life in Maine is quite
different from the life mom lives in Texas . We did our best to show her the beauties of
coastal Maine ,
introduce her to our friends, and gently expose her to our rather liberal and
progressive views. She had lunch with
one of our male friends and his male spouse and I know that was a stretch
(handled well).
I saw that she was overwhelmed by the beauty and sense of
the spiritual upon entering St.
Saviour’s, much like I was the first time I walked thru the doors. Of course she went to church services with us
as well as to two organ concerts. People
loved her charm and southern accent.
The two weeks that mother was here were exhausting and
frustrating and often sobering as I witnessed first-hand her 83 years. But most of all I felt so very lucky, lucky
to have my mom and have her in Maine
with me.
