1/
I've been with my mother in upstate New York, at the home her and my father have lived in for the past 20 years.

Ten months I have stayed with her...

Through my father's surgery
Through his recovery
Through the holidays
Through her hernia surgery
Through my father's death

2/
Through #COVID19
Through her knee surgery
Through her physical therapy
Through setting up an estate sale
Through selling the house
Through packing
Through preparing her for a move to California to live with my sister

3/
I leave tomorrow to drive back to Atlanta. My sister arrives in NY on Sunday. She will help my mother through the final stages of the move and fly back to California with her.

We ate dinner. We said the prayer we have before meals for decades. It felt like a last supper.

4/
We made small talk about the house and selling its contents.

We tried to ignore the heaviness in the air.

The kitchen was a mess, scattered with boxes and artifacts. Many unsure if they would be sold, discarded, or making the journey to California.

5/
My mother never leaves the kitchen a mess, so I started to clean up.

"Leave it" she said.
"Why?" I asked.

Her eyes teared up. I knew the reason.

"Because I need to keep busy after you leave."

I'm thankful for these months with her. I'm going to miss this phenomenal woman.