Gemotions

The news of his father’s stroke had been a blow, and John was now navigating the turbulent waters of caring for his parents. He felt adrift. He felt unprepared.

A hidden drawer yielded a collection of his assignments from elementary through high school. His mother had preserved it all. He flipped through the papers, his mind racing. It was another job he had to do. He picked up his first-grade writing notebook. The red marks, the encouraging notes from his teachers, and the unwavering support were something he would have never been able to do without her.

He felt the familiar sense of being on unsteady ground. He was used to her being there. He felt the phantom weight of her presence, her guidance. The prospect of facing the future, alone, was a cold, lonely place.