Call me. Come see me. Remember me.

I did. And I do.

She’s been gone a long time now. If she was alive she would be 103.

For years after she was gone I caught myself reaching for the phone to call her. That was always an awkward moment. How can you have a lapse of memory like that? - Trying to call someone who is no longer around.

But she wasn’t supposed to be gone. She was going to live forever I thought. She had answers to all the questions that ran through my mind and still do.

She was always just a phone call away. Until she wasn’t.

I was lucky, though. I’ve always credited myself with a terrible memory. I was a poor student. I was terrible when it came to taking test when I was in school. So I adjusted. I learned to write things down. After I visited her in the latter years I took a lot of notes. I had notes written on everything imaginable. Napkins, recipes, any scrap of paper in reach. But you can’t take enough notes.

You can never spend enough time with your mother. Time teaches us those hard lessons, doesn’t it?

I’m a senior citizen now. Another Mother’s Day has come and gone. Another Mother’s Day I couldn’t visit or pick up a phone and talk with her. No more notes.

Tempus fugit.

If your mom is living, call her. Better yet, go visit her. You’ll be glad you did.

And do yourself a favor. Take notes. Memories fade.

_______________
Rick Algood
May 9, 2021