Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed into Emily’s grandmother's attic, illuminating the dancing dust. Her grandmother, with failing health, had asked her to sort through her things. The boxes contained a jumble of family history, and now, Emily was finding schoolwork from her own mother, who was no longer living. A fresh ache settled in her chest.

She picked up a hand-drawn map of the solar system, complete with planets labeled in a childish script. The colors were faded, but the detail was evident. She recognized her mother’s handwriting. The same way she wrote notes to Emily.

She saw the tiny smiley face sticker stuck to the top of the page. It struck her suddenly. Her mother's joy, her own hard work. The little piece of her mother that she could hold. She felt a profound and almost unbearable love, and felt the need to keep it close.