Mum's Boogie
When I started to write my last blog entry, I had a completely different idea about what I wanted to write about. Missing “My Daughter” is a daily struggle which I am glad to have written down, shared and processed (a little), but there have been some good moments along the way that have made me smile and enjoy our new life here. And I don't want to forget them, so, time to share the good:
I took my mum to a concert...
The whole point of moving back home, was to help take care of mum. She's a fantastic mum, and I owe it to her to make sure her life is full of good experiences and adventures, no matter how her eye sight deteriorates.
I wanted to move home, before things got too bad, so that we could have some fun.
Last Sunday we had fun!
Last Sunday mum got to boogie!
The state border had opened up and we could get across to see mum's favorite local band “Late For Woodstock” at a beach pub. They play a whole bunch of 60's stuff that mum remembers from her childhood, and I surely remember a lot of that music too—it was always on in our house. The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin... You know, classic rock n roll...
Mum hadn't been able to drive at night for a few years, so going out to the local pub to see local bands just wasn't happening. Since COVID, mum hasn't been anywhere....
So this was my chance to make sure she had a good time...
It made me smile, watching her listen to “The Last Time” being covered by a local cult cover band who, up until recently, she had been following around for years...
Sorry, did I say listening? She was dancing!
Even though you weren't supposed to dance in these COVID restrictive times, Mum was standin' up and shakin' it. She was clapping and screamin' like it was a real concert with Mick and Keith fighting for the limelight, she had a big grin on her face and she was singing along...
My work here is done...
That moment reminded me why I chose to leave Europe. That moment reminded me how much I love my mum. That moment reminded me how good it feels to be a good son.
I can't wait for more of those moments...
Sure the sound wasn't great, I was a little tired and I couldn't get over the fact I was the 2ndyoungest person in the pub, but damn it felt good to see mum so happy, and it was all my fault! Through all the struggles past and present, I made that happen.
By the way, mum's rebel behavior reminded me of the time we went to see The Rolling Stones together in the mid 90's and were running late to the show due to the traffic. Mum pushed through everyone, including security, to get us as close to the stage as possible. I've never seen her so determined to have a good time, until last weekend...
So I am reminded, not every day is a bad day.... Not every moment has to be a sad one...
In fact, now that we live in a COVID free village by the sea with beautiful bird calls as alarm clocks and the smell of salty air to fill our lungs each day, one could say we are lucky... And we sure are...
I just have to remind myself of that when the gremlins of my past European life kick in... When my anxiety and frustrations kick in... When I miss someone... When I miss my old home or way of life...
Every day I get to take care of mum and that's a blessing...
And not only that, I get to show my wife around this beautiful part of the world, and see her amazed at the beauty and awesomeness that this area has to offer. (Stay tuned for more posts about those adventures!).
If you know my mum, you know how badass she is. She's a strong independent woman who is not taking this eye sight deterioration laying down. She's fighting it every step of the way, and with my help she'll be out at every concert, market, shopping center, hiking trail (if not too steep!) and restaurant her heart desires... I'll make the most of this time...
So thanks again for reading.
Josh
