Moving Mom

We moved my Mom into her new home last weekend.

This is my sweet Momma.

And although there are tons of things about moving that suck:

The prep. 
The packing for what seems like forever.

Sifting through EVERY LITTLE THING bit by bit.

Wrapping fragile items in newspaper,

and your fingers leaving smudges of gray
 on your face when you go for an itch.

Throwing things away.

And the daily stops to the donation centers,

sending things off to be reused by others.

And OH, the tiring task of moving day itself. 

But amongst the nitty gritty of making a move happen,

there are some sweet moments along the way.

Like the rare moment when all three of
your siblings are in one place at one time,

and it's not a holiday, or a birthday,
or a monumental occasion.

The time you get to spend with your mom,

going through all her things

and laughing and reminiscing about the good old days,

and finding sweet treasures amongst the clutter.

Like these old gems:

Mom as a baby.

School pic. I'm guessing she is like 10 years old?

How cute she is!! 

Mom (right) and a neighborhood friend.

New Rochelle, NY. c. 1955ish.

Mom's parents, James and Emily Egan. 
New York, c. 1935

Finding old letters she received from loved ones,
and brief notes she wrote to herself,
her soft voice transmitting through paper.

Seeing what she keeps on her bedside table.
Things that she wants to read, see, revisit, or touch 

right before she falls asleep at night.

It's an intimate affair. 

Packing up the life of someone you love. 

And for as much work and stress and time it takes,

it's all worth it in the end.

Because when you come out the other side,

it somehow feels like an awakening,

a testament of your beginnings,

a reminder of why you love this woman.

A woman who stands before you,
and who always walks behind you,
supporting everything you do.

Wishing my Mom many, many, many 

more wonderful memories in her new home.

XOXO

Aimee