It’s New Years Eve and my home is filled with extended family and laughter. We stay up playing games, eating great food, and sharing stories. New Years Eves like this repeat for the better part of about 15 years.
Family time at its very best- excitement and happiness fill the air each NYE in my home.
The Times Square celebration and ball drop heard on the television in the background. A minute or two before the clock strikes midnight we gather in front of the television- children and adults alike. 10-9-8-…
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As the sound of fireworks and celebratory gunshots begin from neighboring properties, we wish each other a happy new year, give hugs, and then head outside to see the sky lighting up. After a minute or two of enjoying the light shows we come back in.
And in that moment each year, my heart sinks. I know my mom is going home. I never want her to leave. Even though she lives just five minutes away.
January 1, 2024
Last night the midnight fireworks and gunshots awoke me from a deep sleep. I awoke with dread as if I’d just been living the aforementioned eves, not wanting my mom to leave.
It took me a moment to come to, and to recall that I am lying in an empty house and my mom went Home 10 years ago.
