Talking with Daddy

I call and talk with Daddy at least a couple of times each week. Every single time we end up crying together. At least until tonight. This is the first time we were able to make it through a conversation while talking about Mama without crying.

Daddy talked tonight about trying to take care of Mama's houseplants and her flowers outside. Neither are Daddy's preferred gardening plants. He loves growing vegetables. But tonight, he spoke of lovingly caring for each plant in the dining room Mama had painstakingly cared for.

He'd spent the day with friends from the old days of Bethesda eating barbecue and potato salad. I'm so glad he has friends who take that extra step to call and invite him to things like this. He always has a funny story to tell about "remember when..." each time.

But, we always end with two things. We always say how much we miss Mama and he always - always - tells me, "I love you, Darlin'!" before he hangs up.