A Single Tear

Today after church I went to visit mom. Usually when I visit, dad is there, but today it was just mom and I. She was wide-awake and seemed intent on everything I said. I've noticed that mom always seems to give the right response if it's only two or three words but when she tries to say much more, the words get all jumbled up. I told her about John’s graduation and she said, "How wonderful." I told her about little River and that Amy is having another girl that she might name Lily. She said, “That’s great.” I told her that Dave is working on an MBA and Becky made a new CD and she said, “That’s swell.” I told her about how busy I’ve been with the Young Women and that I just planted geraniums because, like she always told me, they have the least amount of pollen and that Kathryn has planted a vegetable garden. She said, “That’s good.” I rambled on for a while as she seemed to be so interested but then I stopped short. A single tear fell down the side of her cheek. A realization shot through me and pierced my heart. She’s still in there. She knows I love her and that tiny tear told me that she loves me. There are bonds stronger than death and I felt that today.