My mother taught me how to cook some of my favorite Ecuadorian foods when I was younger, my favorite being empanadas de queso. They were always a special treat in our house, usually reserved for the weekends when we did make them, and I remember standing behind her, peeking out from behind her hips afraid the oil would hit me when she started frying. The smell of them cooking, and the feeling of wrapping myself tight around her waist has stuck with me. I miss those days.
And whenever I was sad she sang My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean to me. And even now I hum it to myself when she’s not around and I’m feeling bummed.
My mother spent Mother’s Day in the emergency room and the hospital. She is still in there now, and I only got back from the hospital an hour ago. I don’t mention this to make anyone sad or dwell on painful memories of their own, that’s all I’ve been doing and I don’t want anyone else to feel like that. I just wanted to say while reading this thread was hard for me, I’m glad all of you added to it. It helped me remember and focus more on a lot of my own memories of happier times with my mother before she was sick and even the moments we have now, and whatever we have left. Instead of focusing on all of the pain she’s in and the hardship we’re dealing with now. So, for everyone who shared, thanks for giving me a tiny reprieve from the last two days.