Mom's Last Letter - Both Audio and Text
While sorting through the remnants of my mother’s life one day,
Trying to make decisions of
“to keep”……
or “throw away”……
I chanced upon a letter she’d just written, from her bed.
It started out….
“Dear Imogene,”
and this is what it said.
Weather’s fine, but I suppose the crops could use some rain. Martin finally got the job he’s wanted at the plant. He’s always making promises, you know how Marty is. Some I’m sure he’ll keep one day, but others…he just can’t.
Just last week I heard him tell the boys about his plans to take the family fishing at some fancy, new resort. I only hope he manages to somehow get it done, the kids are all excited, and it’s Marty’s favorite sport.
Jonathon has chicken pox. He’s missed a little school. Sharon took some time off work to stay with him at home. You would not believe how smart that little rascal is and - with no help at all from Mom - he wrote this little poem.
“Grandma makes me cookies, and she gives me pie and cake.
She says her two most favorite men are me and Grandpa Jake.
Grandpa’s gone to heaven, where he watches over me,
And Grandma says - because he loves me - Grandpa does it free.”
Isn’t that the sweetest little poem you’ve ever heard? It shouldn’t start me crying, but it almost always does. I sometimes give him cookies as rewards for being good. He only got so many treats because he always was!
Mathew came in second at the track meet yesterday. I heard the boy that beat him was a real good friend of his! When I told him, “winning every race is not important,” I could tell that, deep inside, he’s quite convinced it is.
Nick is like that too, I guess. He’s going to join the swim team when he enrolls in junior college down in Fayetville. He hopes to make the starting team, and if you saw him swim, you would know why all of us are pretty sure he will.
Sharon did some volunteer work at the local hospice. Says she really likes it, and she plans to do some more. Don’t know how she finds the time with all her family duties, plus holding down a part time job at Nelson’s Grocery Store!
Marty starts on Monday. Says the pay is pretty good. He’s sad to give up farming, but it just no longer pays. They all still help me now and then, though I try very hard to make it on my own, which - as you know - is tough these days.
I’ve been having trouble with my knees for quite a while. New ones are expensive, and my walker works just fine. Marty comes to take me for a walk from time to time - after all the stores have closed - a favorite thing of mine.
Yes…the kids, and all the grandkids, take good care of me. Someone’s always dropping by. They love me very much. I just thought I’d let you know that things are going well, and how much I appreciate the way you keep in touch.
As always,
Love,
Hattie
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