Mother

People ask me why I write the blog. Really, I do it for my mother. She's 83 years old and she moved into a sort-of-retirement-village this year but she is still independent and living on her own. She misses her first born and she likes anecdotes from my daily life.

I have gone home to California each of the past seven summers but I'm getting tired of traveling, and going to the States is a hassle. So I thought: this summer, I will skip the trip home. But lately I've been getting some pretty sad emails from my mother:

Oh Michael - PLEASE COME TO CALIFORNIA this summer! I have a great
place for you to stay and I want you to see my new digs!! But most of all I want to see you and OF COURSE your precious family!!! But even if you cannot bring them this summer ( I realize the visas are difficult), let's make a pact that you will bring them next summer!!! Ever since my fall in January, I am very aware that I am in the last years of my life - I guess I thought I would live to be 100 but not any more - I know better now! And HOW I want to meet and know Poo and Thun and Jason!!!

Of course I love my mother, and duty calls. I guess I will travel to California this summer.