Of course Natalie knew that at some point she would have to celebrate Mother's Day without her mother. She knew that unless she got into an accident in the mills, she would likely outlive her mother. That was how it usually went, yes? She just didn't expect to lose her so early. She thought she would at least be in her 30s, preferably older.
The days and months flew by faster than she would have anticipated, and now it was May once again. She hardly had any money, but she always had just enough to get a few things at the store if she decided she wanted to go. The sweet song of the birds and the warm, bright sun felt in complete contrast to her current mood and did nothing to cheer her up. Before she knew it, she was already walking back to the house with a bundle of fresh-cut flowers in her arms. It saddened her that she couldn't afford a more expensive bouquet, but anything would do. She supposed if her mother could really look down upon her now, she would understand. They never had much money, anyway.
The yard was big and expansive, at least compared to anything she'd seen before coming here. It was peaceful. She knew her mother would have loved the quiet here. Her lip quivered at the thought and she had to stop in her tracks to blink the tears out of her eyes for long enough to place the flowers down. She pulled off her bag and dug through it, placing a few small animal carvings next to the flowers, before finally allowing her emotions to overwhelm her. She kneeled over the sight of her offerings, her thick tears watering the grass below.
"I miss you so much, mother. I think you would like it here. I— I wish you could be here with me, and meet everyone. I know you would be able to understand Edan if you just gave him some time. I wish..." She choked on her words, quickly wiping her eyes with her sleeve. "I wish you didn't have to die like that. It should have been peaceful."
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