The Catechism…

“Come on!” mom said impatiently after knocking on my door. I was standing there in a t-shirt and my underwear. “Your going to Julia’s with me. You need to get out of the house.”

I quickly dressed excited to have something fun to do.  It would be fun to sit and eat pimento cheese sandwiches, smoke with the 86 year old Julia, and listen to the Catholic ladies’ banter.  I gathered on some clothes and checked the backdoor to make sure it was locked.

“We’ll go get your groceries afterwards,” mom said as we walked out to her car.

Julia’s was fun as I had expected. Julia has this loud jovial laugh that comes freely and often. They did gossip much about what goes on at the Catholic Church as mom had warned me, but they also talked of the history and structure of the church which so fascinated me.

“It all bores me to death,” mom said very un-heartfelt as we were leaving. “I wish they would talk about more of things I know about.”

I know about the history of the Catholic church and the great mechanism that keeps it all going and running. This was right up my alley – loving such things just as my father does.

Mom and I then went to buy my groceries. 

“Don’t you get tired of getting the same things?” she asked me.

“Yes, I do!” I replied emphatically. “Very!”

“Let’s try to get you some interesting things today on your disability money!”

We bought all kinds of easy to prepare, but unusual foods.  Things I would never think of buying without mom along. Mom shopped with her stomach with is akin to a small child’s.

“How do you feel mentally?” mom asked on the way home driving.

“I feel strange as I often do these days,” I told her. “I feel floaty.  As if I am not all there.”

Mom grimaced. She hates to see me struggling, but it had been a good afternoon.  A pleasant afternoon is a better way to describe it.  As anti-social as my mental illness can make me, I relish time with others and adore mom’s church friends.  They are all so interesting people.

“What are you going to do after you take me home?” I asked mom passively interested.

“Oh, I am going to drive down through the Valley a couple of times, raid your father’s pharmacy, and then head home.”

I laughed at the raiding my father’s pharmacy part. Dad says it’s like the Mongol hordes descending upon his store at times at what mom will get and bring home. I kissed mom on the cheek telling her thank you as I climbed out of the car.  Home to my pups was I.  I am off for a few more hours of sleep before getting up for another day – a day already well spent with my lovely mother.