It’s funny how life shifts and priorities reconfigure. If you were to ask me “Who do you spend the most time with?” right now, my answer would be immediate and heartfelt: my Mama.
Life has me anchored at home these days, and with my mother having retired in 2021, our shared hours have truly blossomed. Our days are a comfortable rhythm of domestic partnership. We cook together, turning meal preparation into a collaborative and often fragrant activity. We tackle house chores side-by-side, making cleaning feel less like a task and more like a shared effort to maintain our sanctuary. There’s a deep contentment in this shared time at home, a feeling of togetherness that truly nourishes my soul.
Beyond the daily routines, this increased time together has allowed me to be her companion for her doctor’s and clinic appointments. It’s a small but significant way I can support her, especially since English is our second language and she often needs a translator. Being there, helping her navigate these situations, feels like a natural extension of our bond.
As my Mama gracefully ages, I’ve noticed a beautiful new dimension to our relationship. She’s begun to share her life learnings with me, imparting wisdom gleaned from decades of experience. These aren’t just stories; they’re valuable lessons, insights into life that she’s passing down. I’m incredibly grateful to be the recipient of this legacy, to hear her reflections and absorb her perspective as she moves through this phase of her life.
So, who do I spend the most time with? It’s always been, and continues to be, my Mama. Even when I was a child, she was my primary companion, my confidante, my world. And today, as adults sharing our home and our lives, that bond remains the strongest and most cherished connection I have.
