(no subject)
Well, I just got back from downtown Chicago where I put mom on a train headed back for Louisiana. I was a little worried, I admit, about how that whole scene would play out. I figured the worst case scenario is that we'd both start sobbing right there in front of all those people waiting to get on the train. It's not that I'm such a softie... it's more that I have a hard time keeping a stiff upper lip when my mom's crying. But, it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be...
... let me rewind...
She arrived last Friday morning. I took the day off work and James and I went downtown that morning to retrieve her. We went straight up to Evanston for a big breakfast at Le Peep then back to the apartment for a good rest. It was her birthday, so I'd planned a few things for the rest of the day. We went and picked up a rental car, drove her out to Vernon Hills, IL, to see a play that I'd gotten us tickets to ("Over the River and Through the Woods"). The play was performed inside an old mansion that was on very beautiful grounds (Cuneo Museum and Gardens). It was put on by a local theatre group (i.e. not in Chicago where the divas make the tickets cost upwards of $80). We laughed, we cried... it was great!! Before going to the play, we ate Italian Beef sandwiches at Portillo's Hot Dogs, split one of their famous Chocolate Cake Shakes (three ways), and shopped around in Target.
The next day, James and I got up early and made her a big breakfast. We made eggs benedict with applewood bacon and hollandaise sauce and whole wheat and nut pancakes. Then, after washing dishes and returning the rental car, mom and I took off to explore Evanston while James went to work on school stuff. Mom and I walked to the lake and walked alllll the way down the lakeshore. We talked about all sorts of things along the way. Then, we turned away from the beach and headed to Ethel's Chocolate Lounge and had a hot cocoa and a sit-down. Then we went window shopping in downtown Evanston. Then we came home and I made Garden Herb Bread, Chicken Matzo Ball Soup, and Peach Cobbler Streudel.
Mom went to church with me on Sunday. I was a little nervous about that -- considering that it wasn't the kind of church she'd be accustomed to. She's more into the pulpit-beating, falling-out in the aisles, and all-around holy-fest type of church. Instead, she sat through an entire service in a Methodist Church. You gotta hand it to mom for sticking her neck out like that.
After church I brought us to Lincoln Park. We walked to Alladin's Diner where I had her try falafel and tahini. Then we walked to the Lincoln Park Conservatory where we saw Japanese Chrysanthemums the size of our HEADS. Then we walked through the zoo and finally back through the streets of Lincoln Park back to the "L". When we got back to the apartment we ordered a pizza from Giordano's Pizza and watched Mama's Family DVDs.
Unfortunately, I had to work on Monday, so all we got to do that day was go to dinner that evening. We went to Blind Faith Cafe and mom tried Mongolian Stir Fry with seitan. A guy that works at my company also works there and he got us all freeee desserts!! Wahoo!
...now back to where we were...
We were standing in line at Gate D. They weren't letting people on the train yet. We stood there talking about all kinds of things. I think we were both trying not to think of what was coming. I turned away for a moment, and when I looked back mom had her hands on her eyes and was red in the face. She started sniffing and I put my arms around her. I rrrreally didn't want to cry... I didn't know how easily I would be able to stop if I were to start. Then, the line started moving pretty quickly and we had to actually say goodbye. I hugged her about three times. We exchanged I love you's and walked away from each other. As I was nearing the exit for the terminal, I looked back and was relieved to see that she wasn't looking back at me. I swear, if she had been looking back searching for me, I would've lost it right there. But, I made it out of the train station, onto my commuter train, and all the way back to my apartment without a tear.
I guess what tugs at my heart are the little things... the little memories that were made in just a few days. The way Marty meowed questioningly when I opened the door, this evening, and mom wasn't behind me. The fight to not get sad when I went into the kitchen and saw the leftover herb bread on the counter and all the Community Coffee that mom brought us from Louisiana. She left us a package of dried fruit mix on the coffee table insisting that we try it -- even though I abhor dried fruit. I don't have to strain too hard to still smell her perfume on the couch and in the bathroom.... yeah... I'm crying now. Damn it.