What I Found

 I found the candy in the mixer. It made sense why it had taken six months for me to find it, how was the Easter bunny supposed to know we never baked anymore?

I found the car where we had left it. Of course it had been forgotten, two blocks from home and how often did we really drive?

I found the keys in the purse. This where I always put them, but with the pockets and the junk who would know unless they really dug?

I found the cell phone on the eighth ring. Six missed calls are all it had taken that time, who carries their phone around if it isn’t even smart?

They found her on the floor of the bathroom. Shaken and forgetful all day, how could she be herself when she had seizures waiting on the horizon?

They found her fallen on the ground. Stairs and ledges, who would be able to keep themselves up if their limbs shook and the house was a maze of snares?

They found her asleep in her chair. Watching football and her daughter prattling on, why not fall asleep when your brain can no longer hold images or words?

They found her. Not her anymore, a body is not a person and the woman lying in bed is no longer a mother, why shouldn’t she seek peace over pain?

She found me. Crying in the basement, tornado clouds over head, children scared of storms are quite common, right?

She found me. Screaming down the stairs, lunging for the “rat bastard” of a dog who wondered “can’t I have more attention than the tv?”

She found me. At a loss for words, looking into her eyes trying to hold up a conversation that was always weighted on the other side, what do I say now?

She found me. Scared, alone, helpless, grateful, loved, broken, joyous, and hopeful; a mother will never forget her child, how could I forget you?

I found her. The wind brushes my cheek, dogs kiss my face, friends release my smile, love fills my heart and I find her.

No question, I know that is you.