Awoke at 5a.m. with words and lines running through my head...words about my mother, who, these some 19 months after her death, I am missing a great deal. Perhaps it was the recent death of the mother of my dear friend, Pat...perhaps it was the recent change in weather which feels so much like autumn, always a season of melancholy and remembrance for me. Whatever the reason, Mother has been well and fully present in recent days. And so, wide awake, I took pen in hand and put my thoughts on paper. her final days... My mother remained a woman of refinement until the end, the ultimate hostess inviting people only she could see to have a seat and stay awhile, sending me, her daughter, to bring more chairs into her chamber where she reigned from the adjustable hospital bed like a benevolent queen upon her final throne, smiling and waving her hand in welcome, as my daughter and I could only stare in wonder at those guests our eyes were too earthbound ...
