From the Heart
If laughter is good for the soul then I have a good soul. My mother not only led me to find Jesus but she has led me down the paths of laughter … and she still is doing so.
Mom may have lost her ability to walk without great pain and lost much of her ability to hear well, but she has not lost her sense of humor. Believe me when I say her ability to laugh is alive and well.
The quarantine during the pandemic has been challenging to say the least. On Fridays, Mom’s speech pathologist, Julie, has been having her FaceTime with me.
The first time Mom saw me on the screen she said, “Well, there you are! Are you sick? If you are sick then you need to tell me. You would tell me if you are sick, wouldn’t you?”
Mom, I’m fine. It’s 9:00 a.m. and I have not put on any makeup since I am not planning to go anywhere.
“Jan, you don’t need to be going anywhere with this virus thing going on. You are old and if you get it, you could die. Stay home, but if you do go to the store would you get me some sour candy? I’d sure love some. Maybe you could find someone to go to the store for us.”
Mom, I can go. I’ll put on my makeup and my mask and zip into the drug store. I should be fine.
I ran into CVS and found Mom some sour gummy worms. She always liked gummy worms. I went to pay for them and was met by a sign that told me how to proceed and to stay within the guidelines of the CDC.
The cashier told me just to use the self-serve check out. (Have I mentioned how challenging a self-serve check out is for me?)
I scanned the gummy worms. I told the cashier I had a coupon and asked how to use it. I followed her instructions and the screen told me that my coupon was invalid with my CVS Care Card. I had Chuck’s coupon and MY Care card. I paid full price for the gummy worms. It was fine as I spare no expense when it comes to making my mom happy.
I drove to her health campus and just felt in my heart and soul that I was a good daughter. I had risked my life to go to a store and get her what she wanted. I had wrestled with the self-serve check out.
I drove home and waited to hear that she was happy with her gummy worms. I heard nothing.
The next day I called her and asked, “How were the gummy worms?”
Mom responded with, “Well they burnt my mouth so I gave them to the lady across the hall. I hope that was okay.”
I laughed and told her it was fine. I am 64. She is 94. She is still telling me what to do. And … she is still making me laugh and taking care of my soul.