Last Supper

My mom is moving back to Boise on Monday, actually she already has moved. Her belongings what few she has left was driven out of town, this morning by my brother, Paul. Mom is flying out Monday morning. Until then mom is trying to sleep is an EZ Boy recliner and seems to be a bit of a challenge. One more night after tonight mom hang in there.
Paul flew up yesterday morning and rented the Uhaul—Carl and Paul an Mark A packed the truck. I figured there was not much for me to do and I had the afternoon off and we had planned to go to the movies—which we did. Half way through the move my cell began to sound but I did not hear the phone. I had four calls backed up when the movie was over. This was the summons to the last supper, the final meal with mom. I called and Dianne and drove over to Carl’s where everyone was talking and I guess waiting for us. We agreed to have dinner at the Chinese Buffet on 45^th and State. Amazingly this was a pretty good call. I would have to wager the Chinese Buffet is one of the best buffets in Salt Lake. The buffet had real choices of protein beyond chicken. I had prime rib an shrimp this a great meal. So this was it. We had visited and packed and now the final meal was complete. Actually, I had visited with mom on Friday and she wanted to go out with Dianne and me on Saturday but I was to understand this meal superseded the earlier invitation. I was just getting comfortable about leaving and spending some quality time with my brother who had agreed to spend the night at our home when mom asked in front of the whole family could she come over and visit for while. In the back of my mind I suspected this was coming. What was I going to say? No? , Dianne thought the house a mess and Carl said he would bring mom the long way. Paul volunteered to help “police up” the place a little. And that was that—we got home opened the doors to the house, lit candles and used fragrances and straightened the front room where we held “court”.

Carl dropped mom off a bout twenty minutes and sprinted for the door with the promise to return when mom called. We had a great discussion, visit last interlude. Ice water was offered and accepted. Mom was still stuffed from dinner. We talked a lot about the farm and experiences we all remembered: Tree houses and furnaces and pot belied stoves; cat’s legs amputated by the harsh mowing machine and a father which seemed to work way too much. What first seemed to be a panic filled evening turned out to be a nice piece of time, maybe one of the last pieces of time we will share together. Carl returned when summoned and we had a great visit with my little brother. Thanks again to Paul and all he has done with the relocation of mom.