A Cup of Comfort for Mothers and Sons by Colleen Sell

Author:Colleen Sell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-21T16:00:00+00:00

Sure, I Know

T om rocked slowly, rhythmically, his head bobbing in time. The chair by the living room window had been his refuge and haven, his vantage point set at a safe distance from the passing world outside. It was a gentle rocking that afforded him a virtual hypnotic escape into a detachment safe from the bustling masses, which he did not understand and that had no time for his simple ways. He had kept his vigil for all these many years, softly murmuring to himself remembrances of yesterdays. He watched. He listened. Mostly he rocked.

Today, turning toward the kitchen, he gazed at his sister, Nina, who now moved about intent on arranging a lunch tray for Mama. He took comfort in the thought that Nina had always appeared from somewhere whenever there was a need, like the day Papa died and she had come to take care of things.

A deep frown creased Tom's brow, as he recalled that morning when they took his father away. Mama had pulled him aside to tell him that Papa was gone, but then she was enveloped by all the people who had come to pay respects. Nina had been there, and it relieved him to catch her looking at him from time to time. Tom had rocked and stared, but felt unable to slip away into his realm of whispered memories, for grief was new to him and made him wonder about the world even more than before. When night did come, the house turned cold and empty. He had never turned in until Papa gave the word, which Tom, in his dependence, needed and interpreted almost as a good-night blessing. It was late when Mama turned to him, waved a hand in tired resignation, and whispered, “Papa is no more. Go to bed.” Tom ran his hand over her cheek and went off to spend a confused, sleepless night. He felt lost without Papa, but somehow he knew his mother suffered even more.

Time passed, and now Mama was sick. Tom knew it was serious because Nina had arrived once again. Her presence brought on memories of the days when he was bigger than she, when Papa would send him to walk her to grammar school. How good it felt to have her tiny hand in his, as they came to a crossing. Then, as a goodbye, he would gently caress her soft cheek, as he left her safe on the school playground. Now, Nina was all grown up, and actually, he liked it better that way, because she could provide for him, especially since it was frighteningly clear that today Mama could not.

Tom knew that in the past his mother had always been there, willing and able to please everyone. In the times when Papa lived, she had made sure that both he and Tom received just what they wanted and needed. Now, she could not come to the kitchen, and a longing tugged at Tom, as he yearned for the togetherness he had felt with both of his parents.

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