
Nada Serhan
Her Favorite Dress
A unique find
Only she has the talent to find.
The perfect floral dress that says
"Welcome to natural beauty".
The softness of the fabric with the vibrant colors of the flowers
The loose cut feeling sensual and dreamy against my skin
She smiles her magical smile
She looks at me
Knowing I need lightness in my heart...
"Try it!", she says holding it up with an energy only she possesses
"Mom, it's gorgeous! But it's a size small and it $82".
"Try it!"
I do. I fall in love
So I decided to buy it.
At the cashier the lady says, "$8 please"
$8?
A unique find
Only my mother could have found.
That became her favorite dress.
Mine too.
As though I'm flying; through colors and lightness.
5 years later
31st of May
It's supposed to be the day.
The day they set that we should say goodbye.
The day, as her caregiver, they initially asked me
to carry out what I couldn't carry out. But I had to.
I wake up early. But did I even sleep?
I wanted to honor her on such a day.
And for a trend setter that she's always been
I decided I'd honor her by doing just that;
Dress elegantly.
Closet door opened, and there it was
Her favorite dress.
My heart beats fast. My thoughts crash onto each other,
"Do I dare wear flowers on the day we say goodbye
to her on this earthly plane?"
I walk into the living room. My sister is already awake
(but are any of us awake?)
I see her eyes grow wider but says nothing.
We get to the hospital.
I'm wearing her favorite dress.
They tell us she's gone.
I don't have to carry out what they wanted me to do.
She let go on her own. She became free
Flying through nature, colors and lightness.
Later on that day, my sister says,
"The second I saw you in that dress...
I knew that was it. She loves that dress."
It's weird when cultures and customs expect you to
mourn in one way
Celebrate in another.
I am not sure which I did.
All I know is - All I could do was
Wear My Mother's Favorite Dress