"My Perfect Mother"

There is a little shop in the San Marcos downtown square called Country Collections. It is run by 2 sisters who are the kindest most genuine people I've ever met. When I want a gift for someone really special that is where I go and I usually spend at least an hour in there talking to the sisters. They ask me about my family, and Blitz and Arthur and how school is going and they really listen. They're very good listeners. I ask them about their children and their parents. They're good talkers too.

Today I went in to get a beautiful necklace for my mom that I've had my eye on for some time. The sisters were there, smiles and hellos like always. We chatted about our families and such for a little while but I was in a hurry to get home so I didn't stay long. On the way out I saw a small glass frame that had a poem titled "My Perfect Mom" etched in the sparking glass. I recognized it. Last year I introduced Arthur to the sisters and we bought that frame for his mom for Mother's Day.

I said one last goodbye to the sisters before I turned and rushed out the door. I barely made it to my truck before the tears started pouring down. I remember seeing that poem on the mantle by the front door at Arthur's house. I remember looking at it as I followed Arthur's dad, sister and brother out of the house and into the limo that would take us to his Mother's funeral. I remember thinking how profound that little poem was at that very moment.

But mostly I was crying because we will never be able to get her another silly little Mother's Day gift again. She is gone.