I’m sitting on her living room floor, and I don’t know if I’ll get to do this again.
It’s almost Halloween and I’m filling trick or treat bags with my son for his class party tomorrow. I didn’t plan for it to land here, on this floor, in this house. But life has a way of lining things up when you need it to.
Halloween at Meme’s was an event. She threw a party every year, and everyone was welcome: family, friends, whoever wanted to come. There were endless hotdogs and hamburgers, chips, cookies, and cupcakes. Meme and I went all out at the store every time, filling the cart with Halloween paper plates, napkins, cups, and decorations. Afterward we’d all head out trick or treating in her neighborhood.
But my favorite part was the part before any of that. It was sitting right here on this floor with her, filling the bags we’d hand out to everyone who came to the door. Just the two of us, getting everything ready. It was never really about the candy. It was about being next to her while we did it.
Now I’m the one with the bags, and the little boy sitting beside me is mine. He has no idea that he’s sitting in the exact spot where I learned what it feels like to get ready for something with someone who loves you. He’s just excited about his party. I think that’s how it should be.
I wish I could look up and say, “Meme, look. I’m doing it with him now.”
If this is the last time I sit on this floor, I’m glad it’s like this: bags in my lap, my son beside me, and her all around us.
