Memories on Monday: Driving with Mom

While driving through town last week I was suddenly transported to a space in time. It was more than a memory, really. The air was just right, I was traveling on a street in the city and St. Joe's hospital was visible to the left. I felt a strong connection to my mom. It was a street we had driven countless times.

I have a lot of photos of places and things I've done with family and friends, but some of those every-day activities I did with my mom have become the sweetest memories for me. I never knew that the mundane things we did together would bring such comfort to me after she was gone.

We drove a lot when I lived with her while she was sick. I took her to the Dr. a lot, and to her treatments. Whenever I had to take Sean somewhere she would ride along. If I needed to go to the store, she would come too. That was so much help. Sean would sometimes fall asleep in the car back then. He was a toddler, and was still taking naps in the car. She would sit with him in the car while I darted in to do the shopping.

Driving, eating at restaurants and shopping at Ross are things we did a lot.

So on that day the air had a feeling of autumn, the sun was shining on the hospital building, I was driving the same direction we had gone so many times, and I almost turned into the parking lot we used to park in for her appointments.

She's been gone almost five years, but I know I will always miss her. Sometimes I wish so badly that she was sitting in the passenger seat while I drive.