Gemotions

The sun streamed through the attic window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air as Emily looked through the box. She found her first report cards, each one carefully tucked inside a plastic sleeve. Her mother had clearly valued these moments, these milestones, even the ones she'd dismissed as ordinary.

She picked up a drawing of a house with a huge, smiling sun. She recalled her mother’s voice, praising her artistic endeavors, even the messy ones.

Emily was overwhelmed. She wasn’t a sentimental person, but the sheer volume of documentation made her want to weep. Her mother had given up so much for her.

She decided to make her mother’s favorite meal and maybe offer to do the dishes for once. That seemed the correct gesture.