One year ago at 11:15 am my phone rang. I was sitting outside my dentist’s office waiting for my appointment time. I remember where I was parked. I rememeber what I was wearing. I haven’t worn that outfit since. I’ve worn the pieces of that outfit, but not together. I remember slowly reaching down and moving my gear shift in to “drive” as the words came out of my father’s mouth. Not breathing, CPR, ambulance. The whole world slowed down and that moment was one of the most vivid of my entire life.
My hands were shaking the whole way to the hospital. It was completely surreal and shocking seeing her that way. The longest day becomes the longest night . And then she is gone.
As the moment comes when I got that phone call, I will be on a plane to Philadelphia. I will be spending Christmas with my family, where I belong. And tomorrow, on the 19th, I will be with my mother in Valley Forge, in the cemetery of the George Washington Memorial Chapel. Remembering and loving her, talking to her and missing her, but grateful to be in the only place that feels even close to the right place to be on December 19, twelve nineteen.
I hope that you felt peace and comfort as you surround yourself with family. You are in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Comment by Christine — December 19, 2009 @ 8:55 pm