Sorry
Mom said that a lot during her final weeks
Sorry you have to help me
Sorry I’m such a bother
Sorry I made a mess

Being from the ‘I’m-so-much-more -evolved-emotionally’ next generation
I suggested
Maybe you could just say
‘Thank you’
That might feel more positive, Mom
Thank you for taking care of me
Thank you for helping me
Thank you for cleaning up this mess
Thank you for loving me

Although she didn’t say it out loud,
I’m sure she was thinking to herself
‘You don’t have to be
such a smart aleck’

Because she was sorry
Sorry to need a hand
Sorry to lose her independence
Sorry to be aware enough to know
she was confused
And a little bit sorry to have me
see her like this

To you, my Mom
I say ‘Thank you’
Thank you for the memories
Thank you for letting me help
Thank you for riding out
your final days with us

Thank you for raising a smart aleck
Thank you for loving me

~ Robin J Phillips May 18, 2020