Gemotions

The sunlight streaming through the kitchen window illuminated dust motes dancing in the air. Sarah squinted at the letter, the paper yellowed with age. It was a letter to her daughter, Lily, who was now grown and had children of her own. Her mouth fell open a little. Why had she kept this?

She sat at the kitchen table, the letter trembling slightly in her grasp. The words were simple, filled with a mother’s worries and a yearning for connection. She thought the words would be easier to digest, but it turned out the opposite was true. The feeling that flooded her was overwhelming. She couldn't bring herself to read past the first few lines, the words catching in her throat.