November has arrived, and with it one of the most powerful memories I have. My Mother died Thanksgiving night.  I’d often wondered how it felt when you lost someone on an important holiday.  Now I know, and I wrote the following poem – reflecting on a most wonderful passing…

Thanksgiving Surrender  by Linda Athis

How sad,
people say,
when I tell them Mom died
Thanksgiving Day.

I stop them abruptly.
Correct their view.
What a powerful death
on a meaningful date!

We knew she was close,
when the holiday came.
Her wasting frame,
gray and heavy in shallow sleep.

At times, her eyes flew open,
shockingly skyward.
Hands gestured wildly,
lips uttered feisty whispered words.
Such a rough and tough debate
with something invisible.
An argument with a heavenly coax?

Three siblings, three shifts,
on Thanksgiving Day.
Sister the night,
Brother took morning.
Me midday.

I entered alone,
into sacred space.
No more grudges.
No more hate.
All peace treaties inked
by mother, by daughter.
But I must admit
I took one last stand,
and…
dared to crawl under bedcovers beside her.
Did I violate her tender space?
A mischievous smile swiftly lifted my face.
This time, she’s too weak,
can’t push me away!

For two divine hours
I rubbed her head.
Her contented snore grew deep and loud.
I watched her breathe.
Please…call off this fight.
Time to invite
surrender.

Then,
the final break:
An anxious brother, sister in-law,
restaurant turkey
tucked in their stomachs,
invade the room.

My eyes convey the news.
Not gone, no. Not gone yet.
I put lips to her ear:
Mom, I’m leaving now,
if you go before I’m back,
that’s okay by me.

Then husband and I
joined dear, caring friends.
We shared a turkey,
not much was said,
then sat on a deck and stared at the stars.
It was then
as we sipped soothing wine,
that she chose her time.

Thanksgiving nights
will now be deep-hearted.
No festival ruined.
Sheer joy in having
a yearly memory delivered,
and a white flag brilliantly waved.