14.1.25
The time has come to say both goodnight and goodbye to mum. In a few hours I’ll be heading to the airport for the 26 hour flight to Krakow. There I’ll be taking part in an exhibition: ‘Echoes of Hope’, organised by the Italian Cultural Institute and commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. More on this later.
It’s late, around 10pm, and I sneak into mum’s room at the Aged Care home across the road. I gently wake her up.
The conversation goes like this:
Me: Marysia! ( I call mum by her name). She opens her eyes and is happy to see me.
I’m going now - to Israel - ISRAEL. For two weeks. (I speak as clearly and loudly as I can)
Mum: (She listens carefully. She holds her hands in a praying position and, in a whisper, says: I wish you all the best.
Me: And I’m also going to Poland. TO POLAND. I’m going to Poland!
Mum: Don’t tell me now.
Me: Not to tell you?
Mum: Yes, yes. Good that you tell me. It’s such a beautiful thing.
And I hope that everything’s ok. I just don’t want to destroy anything for you. She prays again.
Me: You won’t destroy anything for me .
You know, in Poland, I’m showing a movie about YOU - I’m showing a movie about Marysia Kohn. I made a movie about YOU, MARYSIA KOHN!
Mum: Only try - only for yourself. Only for yourself, she repeats.
All the best.
Me: Amen, Amen. I’ll see you in two weeks. And don’t cry. Cos I’ll be having a good time
Mum: All the best. All the best
Me: You sleep well
And I quietly leave the room.
Comments