she has been DOWN lately, to say the very least ; finding the strength
to get out of bed is challenging, and even the slightest tasks have become
a burden. she should be OVERJOYED, truly. her son is home. he is home,
at last. still, she finds it hard to do anything more than force smiles and
courtesies.

and yet, as her son’s lips press to her forehead —- as if he KNEW she needed
that today —- it all seems to melt away. the pressure upon her family, her worries
for her children and grandchildren, all of it, if only for a MOMENT. she smiles in
spite of herself and takes his hand. 

                “ … i am so glad you’re home, jaime. “ 

and she is. she is.

            ( the next morning, she does not find it quite so hard to get up. )