Holding hands

Last night when I was standing at my mother's bedside, she was anxiously trying to get her hand out from under the covers.

I thought maybe she needed to wipe her nose, but then once her hand was free she reached up to take my hand.

She has been holding my hand a lot lately. It's really sweet.

Especially as she has never been a very demonstrative person.

I guess this is her way of saying "thanks for taking care of me, and I love you".

As I type this, tears are rolling down my cheeks.

God, sometimes it is just so hard. Not necessarily the physical work, but just the emotional strain.