kimgeralds rabble rouser

It was bright red.  Her nails are the envy of all those who use fillers.  Strong.  Brilliant. Outspoken.

Like my mom.

Mom was sleeping while I filed, buffed and painted.  She did not wake.  She will not wake.  Ever.

Yet, her brilliance still glowed.

How do you cope with the fact that your Mother is slipping away from this world?   That the fact that the person you think will live on forever…will not?

You don’t.

Instead, you rejoice. 

As she eases into the forever slumber, you thank her for all the things that you gave her hell for when you growing up.  Thanks for insisting on piano practice.  For striving for an A, instead of a B.  For visiting Grandma and Grandpa when you wished you were out with your friends.  How to use all the cutlery in a formal dinner setting.  Oh yea, and how to separate whites from colors. 

And then there are the things she gave you hell for while you were growing up. Opening that jar of lightening bugs in the kitchen when night fell. Or blowing up the back porch dining set with a chemistry concoction. Trying to figure out how the latest gadget worked, by dismantling piece by piece.  And giving your sister a hard time, when you should have been supportive.

It’s the integrity lessons we need to remember.  How we came to be who we are. And why.

Most importantly, Family. How we stick to together, no matter what.

It was bright red. Brilliant.  Just like my Mom.