Ring, ring, ring.
Mom?
Faith? It’s late, what’s wrong?
Yup, it’s me, Faith, your daughter of nearly 40 years. After a long hesitant pause I continue, I have a problem. It’s only the 2nd of the month and I’ve got $15 left. I’m worried. Are you able to help at all?
What happened to all your money? Are you still smoking it up?
I still smoke, yes but that hasn’t taken up all my money. I smoke for $25 a month because I still roll my own.
You’d save if you’d stop.
Mom. I’m calling because I’m worried. This is a regular thing now to be this broke this early in the month. Are you able to help?
Well, your father still needs diabetic supplies and I need to get my medications but we’ll see what we can do.
I’m so tired of this, I sigh.
I know, it seems everyone is hurting these days, more than usual. Did you know John Jones sold his house to move into an apartment?
She can’t see me shake my head in dismay on the other end but I do. I’ve known the Jones’ since I was a child. Mr. Jones kept his yard tailored like a professional. He was always out there pridefully piddling around. After Mrs. Jones died Thomas moved back in to help around the house but he and his dad never saw eye to eye and it seemed to be more of a strain than a help. Others feel it’s the best thing for John to move to a smaller place where there aren’t so many memories but that choice should be his. That choice was taken when property taxes tripled while the economy went sour. Besides, he’s still paying for the funeral costs. Everyone knows parents and spouses die but who knew it would cost more to die than to live? While death is natural when did it become common place to downsize your life to pay for death?
I thought of all these things in a split second pause. Slowly my mother’s voice brought me back to the reality of my own situation where the living fights each and every second for basics, the most minor of necessities. Restroom tissue becomes a big deal when there isn’t any. Laundry soap means clean socks. I try not to think about it all because it grows to larger than me. What would I do if all I had was myself to rely on, if I couldn’t call home and talk to my mother who will not only remind me of my faults but remind me to lay my burdens in the lap of my Creator?
Are you still there?
Yes. I quietly sniff and try to hide how much this life stresses me.
I know you’re worried. I do. And to tell you the truth, your father and I may not be able to help this month but we will answer the phone and we will support you as best we can. Even though it’s dark-thirty I’m happy you called and didn’t sit there by yourself worried. You did the right thing. When it gets rough just call home.
What on earth would I do without you?
Creative Writing: The Natural Order of Things – Sunday, May 02, 2010 – 1:29PM EST
Luke 11:11-12 Indeed, which father is there among YOU who, if his son asks for a fish, will perhaps hand him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he also asks for an egg, will hand him a scorpion?
You held me close like a serpent. I have felt your scorpion sting.
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