At home, I pulled an old plastic storage box from the closet.
Inside were family photographs, birthday cards, and items that had belonged to Mom.
I searched until I found a picture taken during her final summer.
Mom stood beside her younger sister, Julia.
They had their arms around each other.
Mom wore a wide-brimmed hat.
Julia smiled toward the camera.
On her feet were white sneakers with a black diagonal stripe.
The same shoes captured outside Dad’s house.
Julia had helped us after Mom p.a.s.s.e.d away.
She cooked meals.
Handled paperwork.
Stayed with Dad when I returned to college.
She organized Mom’s clothes and helped donate the things Dad could not bear to touch.
