Change

During my daily call with Mom this evening, I found myself smiling. I realized that I was probably the only person she talked to today. Not that I find that a good thing, but it made me realize that I'm appreciating the time I spend with my Mom, be it in-person or on the phone, a lot more these days.

Before Dad passed away, I didn't look forward to calling my parents as Mom would go on and on about things I just didn't find interesting and she didn't seem to give me time to say anything I might want to talk about. Dad and I didn't talk much on the phone, but I always enjoyed those silent talks.

Now, I find myself caring more about what she has to say. I try a little harder to do more talking now too and I think our relationship is getting better. However, I wonder if I'm being too overprotective of her now that Dad's gone. Maybe that's normal. I don't know.

I do know that I miss those times where Dad and I both struggled to find something to say. "We'll see you when we see you," he'd always say in closing before we said we loved each other.