To my mom, February 19

 Thursday, February 19, 1981

          Saw the doctor today (Larry got to go, was go glad he got to hear the heartbeat). I've gained three more pounds and a few more aches and pains which I've told the doctor about. None of which is out of the ordinary so I'm feeling very self-assured.
          "What do I want?" the nurse asked … a healthy mind & body and a happy soul—this is what I want for my baby.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

          Dad was supposed to have seen the doctor yesterday. It's been postponed until early March now. I've gained a few pounds this winter, but nothing to be concerned about. 
          "What do I want?" I can't help but remember reading these words to you as you lay on your deathbed. Your mind, body, and soul had been through the ringer. I pray you managed to recapture a portion of that before the very end. We often don't get what we want, but sometimes we do get what we need. You needed to come to the end, and God gave you that.

My mom died on January 7, 2026. She was 70 years old. It was both her time and not her time.