A winter Sunday in Lachute

I was awake early and I went downstairs to take the Montreal Gazette out of the mailbox. It arrived very early in the morning. If there was snow on the front steps I stepped very carefully with my slippers on.

Then I went back to my warm bed where I read whatever seemed interesting. As I got up to take my bath, I left the Gazette on the top railing.

As I splashed around in my bath I could hear my mom getting up as well. I could hear the distinctive noises of her opening and closing her dresser drawers.

Then my mom headed downstairs and I could hear her putting on the coffee in the percolator on the stove. She would get out her juice making machine to squeeze some oranges for some fresh juice.

When I got downstairs I set out the plates and cups and utensils on the dining room table.

There was homemade muffins and homemade jam.

My mom poured the coffee from the silver pot with the squirrel mitt on the handle.

After a second cup of coffee it was time to get ready for church. I drove her in my car. It took about 10 minutes to get there and park on the side street near the church.

After the service we stopped next door at Econo - the fruit and veggie store - to pick up some needed produce - especially that on sale.

When we got home, I brought in some more firewood and got the fire started in the fireplace.

My mom made the lunch which we ate on TV trays in the living room. Because it was Sunday, we each had a glass of sherry served in the little cut glass glasses on the little black tray which came from the USSR via Expo 67.

Later on I curled up on the couch while my mom sat in her favourite chair to read the Gazette. Then she took the crossword puzzle and went to sit at her big desk to do it.

Later on but not too late so I would get back to Ottawa before it was too dark I packed up my bag and made sure I had turned down the electric thermostat in my bedroom.

As I drove away up the street my mom was standing waving goodbye from her inside covered front porch.

*****

All of this is gone from my life except remembering with fondness the time and the place and being there with my mom on a Sunday in winter.

P.S. The coffee pot and squirrel mitt is now in Vancouver.

The Econo store is closed.

The sherry glasses and tray are in Ottawa.

My mom’s favourite chair is in my living room in Ottawa and I sit in it often and think of her.