“Hi Maga. It’s Abby.”
“Abby dear! My caregiver just said it must be you calling, but today is Monday.”
“I know. I have a work dinner tomorrow and I won’t be able to chat at our usual time. I wanted to make sure to touch base with you, so here I am.”
“It’s always such a delight to hear your cheery voice, especially after the dining room. I don’t like the dining room. It’s full of old people making weird noises.”
“How many meals do you have to eat there?”
“Three.”
“Oh man.”
“Well, actually, breakfast I take in my room. I can sit at my desk and look out the window and see what’s happening with the weather and it’s very pleasant.”
“It sounds like a wonderful way to start the day.”
“What are you doing for the holiday?”
“I’ll be at my mom and dad’s.”
“That sounds lovely.”
“I’m pretty excited about it. What are you doing? Going to Aunt J’s?”
“Well, I’m not sure. She’s worried that I’m too wobbly and won’t be able to climb the stairs to her house. She’s not sure I should come over. I’m trying to talk her out of it.”
“I’m sure they’d come over to see you if it doesn’t work out for you to go there.”
“Oh, yes. She said they would, but I’d love to go there. Her house is always so nicely decorated and it would be so great to see family.”
Whether we’re far or so near we’re overly squished into one house or somewhere in between, family is always important but more so at this time of year. I hope Santa brings Maga her wish of spending time in a familiar place surrounded by people decades younger than her who don’t make weird noises during meal times.
Abigail Mumford 