Have You Seen My Mother?

Years ago I was driving from somewhere to somewhere. I had graduated from college and soon was to be on my way to grad school. But at that moment, I was in neither place. And I was kind of liking that.

I visited with my cousin in Kentucky a week. Or was it more? There were mountains there, and narrow roads pocked by coal trunks racing down the grades. There were tall trees on the hillsides, and there were hollers of amazing green beauty. And homes of amazing poverty.

My cousin was there then working to make things better. And I stayed with him for a while and saw how much my world of orbits and differential equations differed from his. And I got some long-needed scratches on my tender fingers.

The time went fast. I knew it was running out when one day I walked into the main building and someone said to me, A lady from Illinois has been calling here asking if we've seen her son.

My mother. I was soon to drive to Texas, and my mother was calling across the midwest to track me down. What, did she think I was going to be late for grad school?

So it was with some glee this evening that I sent out an APB on her. You see, she is due here sometime tomorrow but hadn't yet provided any details on time and place. So it was with some sense of satisfaction that I was able so send out an email (with multiple recipients) asking anyone if they've seen my mother.

I'm worried she might be late to Texas.

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