“Timothy, come back inside! What on earth are you doing in the rain?” That was mom calling. He can still recall that image and her voice.
Tim was playing with rocks. He was completely soaked and shaking. Mom dried him up and gave him some warm lemon water. It was a fall weekend. Tim remembered the leaves turning golden. And mom kissed his forehead and hugged him. Mom often smelled like pine trees and new born babies.
Tim wanted a playmate – a brother. All he got was mom. She was a cool mom but had little time to play with Tim. Something important called work would take her away. Tim spent a lot of time with rocks as a kid and eventually became a professional climber.
Mom was Tim’s best friend and teammate. They went on multiple expeditions in Chile and Spain together. Mom didn’t like being photographed or interviewed. As soon as the mom-and-son team got media attention, she stopped going with Tim and moved to New Mexico.
Tim is learning to journey forth with her love and wisdom inside of him. He wants to be as loving of a parent as she was. She was a wonderful mom and an even better spy.
