For the longest while, my mother has been hinting at one of us three children to take her to find her 'new home'.
We laughed it off, brushed it aside, until finally she cornered me and would not let it go, until defeated, I called to make an appointment. I refused to take her, albeit to say, Mother knows best, or- as I have taken to telling my kids, a mother will always win, I took her to her appointment.
At this point, I imagine you thinking, what would be the big deal about taking your mother, or father, or both parents to an appointment that would find them a new home?...Well, for those of you who have not yet understood, my mothers new home was for her eternity. It was at the cemetary.
We set off that morning, she with the widest smile upon her face. Me, trepidous, but- quite bemused at the impending appointment. After all, how difficult could it be...?
Well, seated in the quite spacious, airy and fresh office, the sweetest lady began with her questions, and there I sat while my mother answered them all, all the while asking some of her own. To say at this point, I was in a daze, would be an understatement. And, then it hit me, my mother had not just thought of this, she had been thinking about it for a while and she really was serious in her endevour to find the 'perfect' home...
Off we set to see the Maesuleum.
Th entrance, Mary MacKillop was beautiful and I noted there rested a few of our family members. The marble was black and it got the afternoon sun. There were a few places left, however, Mum didnt want the afternoon sun and did not like black...our mission continued.
The next two aisles of saints I cannot remember would not do at all. They were entirely under cover and did not get any sunlight at all.
Ah, ok.
Throughout the entire journey, my mother had a look of serenity upon her face and it suddenly occurred to me that one day, I would be walking down these halls to visit my parents who I dearly loved and did not have with me anymore. When the time came, I would be devastated, but I suddenly realised why she wanted to do this now, she wanted to save us the heartache, the anguish and know that when her time came, she would have sorted it all out before hand.
Once a mother, always a mother, her children would always come first...
And did she find her eternal home...?
Yes, she did. Complete with morning sun, fresh air, and a beautiful view...