by Karen Topakian
You don’t know where you’re going. Or when you will arrive.
But you know you’re traveling. Down a road full of memories. Dreams. Nightmares and spontaneous tearful explosions.
Chirping birds can send you into paroxysms of grief because they remind you of the serenading birds on your mom’s deck.
Walking on buckling pavement can instantly draw tears as you remember your mom clinging to your arm as you guided her to make sure she didn’t fall.
Chuckling at a funny squib in the paper can turn to sobs because you know she would find humor in the same bit of absurdity.
These moments. These memories. All drive you back to other times. Times when the person who is gone lived and breathed.
The loss remains. Along with the sadness and the pain. But the journey continues without her. To an unknown destiny.
Tour de Farce 