I've been thinking about mom a lot lately. I was out of the house and gone for good in my early 20's, and didn't go around as much as I should have. Then in 1980, when I was 25, I moved to Houston. I went back to Kansas now and then for family funerals and brief visits, but that was it.
Late in 1996 mom had a stroke and one of my older brothers was diagnosed with a brain tumor. By 1997 it was clear I was needed there, so I moved back. During the 10 years I stayed, mom and I finally got to really know each other as adults. It was the same with my brother Roger too. Nine years seperated us in age, and he was out of the house by the time I was getting older.
I was talking to my older brother who lives near Austin the other day. He's going to visit later this month, but I can't go. Mom turned 87 this February, and she is getting very weak and more forgetful.
Sometimes, I think I should have stayed in Kansas City rather then move back here, as much as the winters were taking a toll on me in mind and body.
Late in 1996 mom had a stroke and one of my older brothers was diagnosed with a brain tumor. By 1997 it was clear I was needed there, so I moved back. During the 10 years I stayed, mom and I finally got to really know each other as adults. It was the same with my brother Roger too. Nine years seperated us in age, and he was out of the house by the time I was getting older.
I was talking to my older brother who lives near Austin the other day. He's going to visit later this month, but I can't go. Mom turned 87 this February, and she is getting very weak and more forgetful.
Sometimes, I think I should have stayed in Kansas City rather then move back here, as much as the winters were taking a toll on me in mind and body.
