There’s no place like home.
I’ve just return from visiting my 84-year old Mom after not being able to visit her for a while, due to Covid. My visit with her filled me with awe and appreciation of how she lived, loved, and navigated her journey through life.
Chatting with Mom about her childhood, meeting my dad, and raising me was so special and rewarding. While, I’ve heard many of the stories before, but hearing them now, they seemed different.
Certainly, she was different, age takes its toll, but I know that I have changed tremendously as well. I’m now a few days older and wiser. We both seemed more patient and present.
One phrase that she repeated several times….” I don’t really remember exactly how that happened, but everything just unfolded the way it was supposed to.”
Mom is a woman of tremendous faith. I’ve always respected that, but I now see that living life and letting it unfold is as important, if not more important than constantly pushing and striving in one direction or another, all the while missing the beauty and joy in the moments, big and small.
I remember a vibrant, outgoing, and productive woman who was always on the go. Today, she can no longer travel and live independently. Her world is much smaller, and even little things can be a challenge, however, I’ve never seen her so content and filled with joy.
Mom’s light radiates from the inside out. She has aged, reluctantly, with a beautiful grace. Mom still has the softest hands and she’s as feisty as ever! And even with that cane — don’t anyone get in her way 🙂 Turns out, she’s really funny too!
I feel like I met my mom for the first time on this visit and truly got to know her. No rushing around or entertaining to distract us. Just us two girls. It felt so good and comfortable to be in her presence.
Mom reminded me of my own values and helped me realize how simply beautiful life really is if we choose to live in the moment. I am eternally grateful for these days. I feel like visiting her recharged my life battery.
There’s no place like home, and home can be with you everywhere, even right inside our own hearts.
