It has been a month since my Mom died. I’ve stopped waking up every morning to the realization that she is gone, but I still stop to think twice before putting on mascara in the mornings. I don’t wear mascara to church because that’s always been an easy place to cry. And I haven’t worn any this weekend in Detroit.

Anne and I drove to Detroit to return Dad’s car (I drove his van home in the early January snowstorms) and help start packing up Mom’s things. I also needed to spend time with my Dad and Anne wanted to say goodbye one more time.

The decision to move to senior housing ramped up the agenda for the weekend more than I had planned. I thought I’d go through my mom’s closet and dressers and maybe clean out the bathroom. Connie and I did all that and also packed up dishes, baking utensils, and a lot of food items as well. Dad won’t be doing much baking. I also sorted through the pictures and her journals. (She meticulously recorded her daily Bible readings and a quote from The Daily Bread almost every day for the last few years.)

It was a busy, tiring weekend. I didn’t cry much while we were working, but had a few meltdowns on my own. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it back before Dad moves, so I was saying goodbye to the house that Mom (and I) loved so well.

We went to see the new apartment and it is very nice. The complex is in a lovely setting and seems small enough to be very personal.

Anne and I drove home today (Sunday.) She leaves on Thursday around noon so we have three days to finish our “to do” list. I’m pretty good about not crying when she leaves but I still don’t think I’ll put on any mascara–just in case.