To Mom

I went to the house this morning and you wouldn't let me in. I saw the lock turn with my very own eyes. I asked you to please let me in - and when I tried the lock again you did.

I walked into the living room and knew you were there - no one has been there for days but me, and the chair in the corner was facing the wall. In the bedroom there was a drop of something sticky on the floor - like melted candy. No one in my family eats stuff like that - and no one has been there but me.

It's been 3 years today - so it was no surprise that you would make yourself known. Yes, it is my house now, but a part of it will always be yours and you are always welcome there.

I wish you hadn't ripped yourself out of all the photos of us just because you didn't like the way you looked. They were special to me. I still found some intact, though, amidst all the boxes, and your photo is on my bureau.

Love you, mom.