Tag: family

Day 54: Safari

My aunt’s memory is failing. We first noticed this two years ago, when she got lost on the way to the grocery store; these days, she can hardly be left alone.

My dad, her impatient and controlling younger brother, is having a hard time with it.

Most recently, they fought when she told him she just returned from Africa. He reminded her, loudly and with considerable frustration, that she’d not left their neighborhood in years.

I’m truly disappointed in him. What sense does it make to argue? She will be gone soon. I want to know what happened in Africa.

Day 23: Madalyn

My mother’s mother was the oldest of four sisters. She was a mean card player and ate popcorn and candy bars for dinner. She never told me she loved me, but wept as we drove to the airport.

She called me “sis” when she wanted to get my attention. “Sis, either pay attention or don’t play,” when I’d goof off at Rummy. “You’re tracking sand in here, sis,” when I didn’t rinse off my feet from the beach. And our last phone call, when I told her I’d gotten engaged. “Don’t get married, sis.” A cough. “Men aren’t worth it.”