I will always be with you.

Mama and her sisters were blessed to live close to their mother and daddy in their final years, so as Mamaw grew weaker, her 5 daughters began taking shifts with caregiving. It began with meals and housekeeping, then in time included overnight stays beside the bed of their beloved mama. In her final days, I was told that Mamaw would often sit quietly in her bed gazing out her window, watching for a cardinal to appear.

So yesterday, for Mama’s 87th birthday, I found this little painted reminder to sit beside her bed. It says “I will always be with you.” I fought back the tears as I told the owner of the shop that I didn’t know if she would even realize the significance of the gift, but that I would know. Reflection of the love between mothers and daughters brought more unchecked tears on the drive over to see her. Distance does not afford my two younger sisters the gift of visiting Mama like I do, but I always remind Mama of her 3 girls, Bonnie, Cathy and Pat. Very little registered on this birthday. She was unaware of the gift placed in her hands for the picture, unaware that I placed it beside her bed, even unaware that it was her room. As I walked her to the dining room, she questioned where we were going as if it were the first time. I settled her in her chair and kissed her temple and suddenly she was aware of one thing…that I was leaving her. And she asked me when I’d be coming back. “Very soon” my lips said. But my heart replied “I’m always with you, Mama” It’s what daughters do.