23 August 2012

My mother's hands were strong. She was small, shorter than me, taller than most of her friends (she loved librarians, little ladies who drank pink wine, I found her and Jane napping together, blankets under their chins, Jane's hand keeping my mother's bald head warm), but her hands were her: strong, capable, graceful. I can see the pores on my mother's hands, the long nail beds. She died with a month-old perfect manicure, Mademoiselle, the color I still get, little moons bare where her nails had grown out, perfect nails on her unused hands, the hands that once had changed our diapers, and held mine for 32 years, Adam's for 29, Michael's for 26.

My brothers and I sold our house, and in 2 weeks, another family will live there. My mother died in our den, but when I think of the house, I see my mother in her workshirts that came to her knees, making oatmeal, or sitting next to the sliding glass door in the kitchen, on the phone, always on the phone. I see my mother doing laundry, taking a bath, lying next to me in her bed, snoring, with the tv on low. I see her yelling at us, wrangling her cat-children, late, as we always were, for temple, or a holiday dinner. I see my mother exploding with laughter so fierce it nearly strangled her. There she is in the dining room, crumpling, boxing glove covering her face, after getting socked in the nose by Petey, vowing never to play with him again. My mother loved boxing; it was her way of getting close to her boys when they were teenagers, young men, who pushed her away, and it was a sad, sad day when her gloves had to be hung up. Her bones had become too fragile for boxing, but by then, my brothers kissed her, and hugged her, and snuggled with her, and held her strong hands, that startled me when I held them with their smallness, delicate bones under skin yellower than mine, for there is no one stronger than your mother.

The boxes are packed; we gave our mother's clothes to charity. I will bring my grandmother's credenza, and a painting that hung in my parents' bedroom, and 4 boxes full of my life to my husband's family's home in Pennsylvania. My brothers and I will say goodbye to our house, to the town we have had three houses in, to my mother's voice on the answering machine, to the bagels and the black and white cookies, to the pizza and the Thai food, to the duck pond, and the smell of the bay that leads to the beach, to the house that we lived in, to the house that our mother died in. We three have our lives, our furniture, our dogs and our cats, our apartments, and the boxes full of our childhoods. We three have each other, and we have all that she gave us: love and a moral compass to navigate the world without her.

37 comments:

by land by air by sea said...

i've been here sharing your pain and your mother for a year.
safe journey.
we begin to know with age, that those homes are made
to leave us, and we create new ones.

buen viaje
Beth

Anonymous said...

Me and ozzy fucked more challenging, trying to show
to my god! FUCK YES!' prior to cumming inside my warm pussy. were still fucking

My webpage - hcg injections
My webpage - hcg injections

Anonymous said...

http://biaxin-buy.webs.com/ buy biaxin online
http://sustiva-efavirenz.webs.com/ buy Generic Sustiva 500 mg online
http://asacol-mesalamine.webs.com/ buy mesalamine canada
http://www.freewebs.com/pentasa-mesalamine/ salofalk granu-stix 1000 mg

Anonymous said...

Apart from 2013 Hermes Handbags Replica Hermesilxofa , you here in addition offer you actually imitation Hermes Kelly Hermes Bagsyeszsj , belts, pieces etc. In short, we shall satisfy our own prospects. 2013 hermes bags Authentic Hermes Bags , belts a way lovely women require at least a accommodate Hermes BeltsHermes Beltshandlv . But a way in addition to good female also need to have a very good finances, certain Birkin Handbags Hermes Bagswnnece , along with a view. A new pockets shows that you can take care of the huge selection in the great way.

Anonymous said...

[p]Thechristian louboutin Neo Mars is usually a small heeled pump in grainy buff as well as in nude and beige colors . It is possible on the street Ugg boots may be the necessity showing [url=http://uggbootsalescheap11.moonfruit.com]ugg boot sale[/url] personablity in the wintertime . This slimline belt is engineered to help to develop abdominal strength, definition and muscle mass in a really discreet, easy and comfortable way . Gucci sneakers to among 1 with element may be discovered in earth and dim colors . cheap ugg bailey button Roxy Short available for sale via the internet merchandise is heated merchandising for internet . Indeed indelible black block must be careful cleaning and rapid drying . ugg bailey buttonWelcome to purchase ugg bailey key triplet grey on-line, the reselling price will be reasonable . UGG sheepskin footwear styles are known for pampered comfort and trendy & versatile fashion expressions at present.[/p]

Anonymous said...

I think the aԁmin of this web page іs genuinеlу woгking
hard in suρрort οf his web sitе, as here eveгy material іѕ qualitу bаsеd ѕtuff.


Here is my web site; hcg diet direct
Also see my web page - hcg side effects in women

KC said...

travel tips for your frugal, vagabond readers

Unknown said...

If you are experiencing any error while updating or activating Norton product, go to the link Norton.com/nu16 and this will automatic download the file. Alternatively, you can first uninstall the antivirus to remove any kind of file error, and then re-install it by using Norton Product key. Norton Account

Unknown said...

Norton.com/Setup - Norton Setup Enter your product key online. Download & Install Norton antivirus Product Visit activation website www.norton.com/setup to register your code.

Unknown said...

Norton.com/Nu16 - Check out the quick guides to download, install and activate the Norton NU16. If the users face any of the issues or errors during these processes then, they may call the Norton Customer Support on the Norton toll-free number, to get an instant assistance.

Unknown said...

Office.com/setup - Have a look over the July 2018 Office Setup 365 for iOS update to know what’s new in this productivity suite. Please note that this new update also includes features released in Version 2.15 for iPhone and iPad.

Unknown said...

Get Norton support from Norton.com/setup for all your Norton Security Product. Redeem your product key to install-www.norton.com/setup or Call toll-free number. We will provide you an immediate support to fix the issue out.

Unknown said...

Office.com/Setup - Sometimes, the user may face certain issues with purchasing via online as well as offline mode like billing error, subscription errors then please contact Office Support team to get assistance from the experts.We will be glad to assist you.

Unknown said...

Office.com/setup - Sometimes, the user may face certain issues with downloading ,installing and activating then please contact Office Support team to get assistance from the experts.We will be glad to assist you.

Unknown said...

www.Norton.com/setup: Learn, how to download and setup Norton Antivirus software For Windows and Mac OS PC/Laptop.
norton.com/setup

Unknown said...

Users with active Norton setup on their computers usually face the problem when the antivirus detects a specific file download. Performing is basic task of monitoring the running task and file, Norton antivirus is developed to remove file and software when identified to be malicious.

Unknown said...

norton nu16 Online Help – Step by Step guide for Norton Setup, Download & complete installation online. Setup norton.com/nu16.

Norton nu16

Unknown said...

Norton setup ensures that your computer runs like new again. With NU16 you can expedite your computer performance and decrease the time taken to boot, repair general computer issues with just one mouse click.

Norton setup

Unknown said...

Norton Utilities 16 is the utility software designed and developed by the Norton Symantec, for helping users in optimizing, analyzing, maintaining, as

well as configuring the devices.

norton setup

Unknown said...

McAfee.com/Activate: Are you facing the trouble to download, install and activate the McAfee product to the device? Follow the stepwise procedure detailed here for successfully activating the McAfee subscription using the redeemed McAfee Activation License Keycode.

mcafee activate

Unknown said...

if you want to protect it from dangerous viruses and malware. Install Webroot antivirus your mac and pc.if you want more info visit our website:

rakibhr said...

I am thankful for the article post.Looking forward to visit more.
Thanks dear For your Nice Post . It's Was Amazing! Friend I have Blog About Microsoft office setup .
If anyone interested to setup office please Visit My Blog. I will be apprised.

shor discription About my blog here :


office.com/setup : At the point when we are working or
serve the client just one in our mind that is "Consumer loyalty". We think each agents believing resembles as we have and
we are continually hoping to improve our capacity to address the issue of our customers.
We have huge number of trucks and other development gear to take the necessary steps in a great way and our trustworthiness, workplace and advancement to take the organization on high.
At the point when each client really fulfilled , then individuals says that is the privilege choice.For More : office.com/setup
\ Microsoft office setup
Best Regards

Microsoft office setup | www.office.com/setup |

norton.com/setup | Buy Google Voice Account |
office.com/setup | Microsoft office setup

John Ruth said...

You know how to now share your Office document easily? with your friends and colleagues or directly share it with your Www.office.com/setup. You can also work on projects with your Crews with Microsoft Office Crews.

What is Microsoft Office? Www.Office.Com/Setup
Excel Subtotal Functions - How You Can Use?
How you can Stop One Note from Launching Automatically?

John Ruth said...

Webroot just provides an installation guide to activate Webroot antivirus. utilization Of Webroot Name, logo, trademarks and its images are just for reference and not the least bit propose that Go- Www.Webroot.Com/Safe has any business relationship with Webroot.

What are Computer Worms and how you can protect your device With Webroot?
What are the Reasons you Should Hide Your IP Address?
How you can Stay Safe when Sharing File?
Security Awareness Training Kit – Www.Webroot.com/safe

John Ruth said...

At Www.AVG.com/retail, Support Number you can talk to experts who are certified to help you in confining the entry of virus or infection in your device by disguising the technical issue that must be causing halt in AVG process. So, don’t wait, avail our remote service by dialing our toll-free number.

How to Resolve AVG Error Code 2330?
What are the 7 Steps You Should Take After the Data Breach? Avg.com/retail
Tips for Your Device Safety in Airports – Www.Avg.com/retail

Unknown said...

canon printer setup into your pc, your system does not need to install the driver on it. Canon printer that can be downloaded via page is the best wireless printer that you can connect to your device and print data smoothly. canon.com/ijsetup
CD is not the well-suited technique to use canon.comijsetup setup installation for longer.


anuskelvin said...

Quickbooks general help line. want quick, easy help? We recommend having a QuickBooks expert call you. They'll have the info you'be already entered. So you won't have to repeat it. If you prefer to call us directly, we'll ask you a series of questions to confirm your personal info and the reason for your call.

QuickBooks Support Phone Number | Quickbooks Payroll Support Phone Number | Quickbooks Enterprise Support Phone Number | Quickbooks Technical Support Phone Number

Mohit Singh said...

Best ias coaching in chennai | top ias coaching | ias coaching in chennai|
Best IAS Coaching in Mumbai

Unknown said...

The information given by you is very important for which I thank you.

https://sites.google.com/site/disneyplusloginapp/
https://sites.google.com/view/commcafee/
http://mcafeecomactivate.epizy.com/
https://sites.google.com/site/myofficecomsetup/
https://sites.google.com/site/mymcafeecomactivate/
https://sites.google.com/view/fixerrorcode/
https://sites.google.com/view/aolloginmail/

Ramanasri IAS INSTITUTE said...

Select with best UPSC instructing in Delhi is Ramanasri IAS Institute for UPSC 2020 readiness. Our resources are all around experienced for encouraging IAS competitors and strong instructors are additionally experienced to support them. Greatest quantities of understudies have cleared IAS test from our training classes. Our investigation materials and current issues magazines are best for UPSC arrangements. Courses are finished in time and modifications are likewise done. We give online understudy's entryway to consistently tests performed. Join Ramanasri IAS Institute and make your future. Ramanasri IAS Institute feels that with this sort of help system, understudies have the option to clear this test later on. zoology study material pdf

office.com/setup said...

Your mother was a great lady. no one can replace the seat of a mother in this world. it's the wish of almighty we have to leave this world.
office.com/setup

John Smith said...

Searching for Verify Receipt of your Chase bank Credit Card? On the off chance that verify your chase bank credit card, Chase Card Activation then you are at the correct spot. I have composed bit by bit direct for activate chase and pursue records and Visa at Chase Card Verify.
Read More…

office.com/setup said...

Thanks for sharing this motivational story with us of brave mother and brother.

office.com/setup said...

The information you shared with the visitors is a brave story every mother should be like you.

amazonmytv said...

Amazon Prime Video - Registering on Amazon prime is www.amazon.com/mytv to activate amazon prime videos on your Pc

neha jain said...

https://www.sharmaacademy.com/mppsc-notes.php
Students can read free mppsc notes for their exam preparation they can also download notes from our website.

Alan Walker said...

Disney Plus is a subscription streaming service that aims to bring the disneyplus.com/begin experience to the whole family. The service features a variety of content from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney movies and TV shows. disneyplus.com/begin is a subscription streaming service from Disney, which will include programming from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and Disney.