Talking To Mom About Leaving
Today was interesting. I and my brother, John, had been hesitant about telling Mom about me leaving for Armenia. Since she just turned 98, we were wondering if telling her I would be gone for two years might upset her too much. So, we had decided not to tell her. I felt terrible about this decision. I spent two weeks with her, watching her watch Jeopardy and answer the questions before the contestants and fall asleep watching old movies and television shows. We went out to some of her favorite restaurants and I ate with and her friends a few times. I kept feeling like I should tell her. I left Texas and went up to Washington D.C. to get some rest and study my new language. I was talking to my friend , Joyce, who could not believe I had not told my Mom. She said I was not giving Mom the respect she deserved. She said Mom would be happy because I was doing something that was making me happy. So, I wrote Mom a letter, she would not have understood enough on a phone call. I