On the Eve of My Mother’s Surgery

It’s the first day of 2013, and tomorrow my mom will have one of her kidneys removed. We’ve been waiting for a surgery date for over three weeks and it’s been four weeks since they discovered masses on her kidney, but the reality of the surgery taking place has seemed far away and unreal. My mom takes vitamins. She exercises. She eats healthy foods. She takes care of herself. She’s fifty.

Plenty of people have lost a kidney and continue to live healthy lives after their recovery, but every time I think about tomorrow a weight settles on my chest that pushes tears up into my eyes. I am afraid. I know I shouldn’t be afraid.

So instead I’m watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding, one of our favorite movies, and waiting for I peel the potatoes. Tula, why you want to leave me???? Boont. boodt? Bun-d-t! Ohhhh! Is a cake! There’s a hole in this cake.

Oi. I love my mom.

Published by Sarah M. Wells

Sarah M. Wells is the author of The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Gospels to Help Kids and Parents Love God and Love Others (2022), American Honey: A Field Guide to Resisting Temptation (2021), Between the Heron and the Moss (2020), The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture (2018), Pruning Burning Bushes (2012), and a chapbook of poems, Acquiesce, winner of the 2008 Starting Gate Award through Finishing Line Press (2009). Sarah's work has been honored with four Pushcart Prize nominations, and her essays have appeared in the notable essays list in the Best American Essays 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018. Sarah is the recipient of a 2018 Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council. She resides in Ashland, Ohio with her husband and three children. View more posts

4 thoughts on “On the Eve of My Mother’s Surgery”

So sorry to hear about your Mom's surgery. Will pray for peace for all of you.

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Lots of prayers and good thoughts your way, Sarah!

Also, I LOVE My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I am Greek, and when I saw this movie years ago I laughed and cried with relief knowing another family is JUST LIKE my own. I think I better get it out tonight.

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