The old town looks the same, as I step down from the plane
But who is not there to greet me is my mama. Agh. I flew in in the turbulence and rain and landed in New Orleans and thought this is the first time in my life that my mother wasn’t the first one I called when I landed, wasn’t who I had on my mind returning home, and at the same time she was all I had on my mind.
We bury my mother according to Jewish custom -within 24 hours – with a slight delay built in for everyone to travel back here – tomorrow morning. So far I’ve received numerous phone calls, text messages, and emails all saying pretty much the same thing – my mother was an exceptional person who no one will forget.
Oh mom, I miss you so much even though I know that you are at peace, finally. I just saw your smile a minute ago in my mind’s eye – spunky as always. If there is an afterlife, tell Mama Mae and Grandpa Ellis I miss them and give a kiss to Carey and your old beau George the rosarian and hug Dad and give a big kiss for Norka and pet Arlene and Sam and Max and all the other accumulated animals that we have loved.