Gemotions

“Travel the Silk Road.” The words on the list, written in vibrant ink, jolted Sarah from her stupor. It was her mother’s handwriting. She had discovered the list tucked inside a small, ornate box filled with trinkets. “Learn to paint.” “See the Taj Mahal.” Her mother, a quiet woman, had held so many ambitions.

Sarah sat on the floor, the box resting in her lap. The weight of her mother's unfulfilled dreams felt crushing. Her fingers traced the elegant calligraphy. She felt a dull throb behind her eyes.

She hadn't realized how much her mother had wanted. She felt a pang of deep sorrow for the woman who seemed to have faded away.