The Mask Of

We have worn them throughout our long lifetimes.
I profess to carry a sack of memories. Ellen claims to have none, and routinely doubts mine.

And of course, we are both often wrong, but occasionally right.

Until a moment of truth unites us at a random junction of the path where once we walked together holding each other’s hand. Such happened last night, when a parchment thin letter typed by my younger sister fell from an abandoned box. It had reappeared recently due to construction in my apartment. Before sending it on the inevitable road to recycle, I chose to open it with admitted reluctance.

My sister and I rarely corresponded in those years, nor did we communicate. The truth evokes the pain of honesty, but so it was. Life with all the familial consequences had separated us, and yet the letter revived the bond we have shared since birth.

The typed words seemed to fly off the aged page as she described the guilt we both endured at a time of crisis for our beloved Mother. And as I read her poignant explanation of the complicated demands of our family, I understood that perhaps my reaction to Woke is also not entirely valid.

The complications my sister. and I shared were caused by demands many women endured two generations ago. Because their Mothers had been subservient beyond description, the daughters were programmed to follow that path

As life changed, and women slowly but tentatively emerged from being “Just Housewives” so did the viewpoint of female responsibilities. Men, spouses, brothers and fathers no longer became dominant in a female responsibility. Yet the shackles taught in childhood were still intact,

The cords that entangled our Mother and prevented her choices may not always be apparent, but if they now have been loosened enough for all women to know equality, it is indeed a good thing.
And if Mom and her sister had been able to relinquish the burdens they carried from youth, I like to believe they might now agree.

And hopefully, our Granddaughters will have no need to wear masks.