Stunning

All you could see was her face, and you might use an adjective like beautiful, gorgeous, angelic, exquisite, dazzling, magnificent, or any one of a dozen others except just one of those would be inadequate to describe her. In fact, words eluded you both mentally and physically as you sat there gazing at this young woman. The thought that this creature could be your mother seemed utterly impossible.

Slowly her eyes fluttered open but seemed glazed and unfocused as she spoke. Her alto voice a perfect match for the face before you.

"Who's there?"

Your mouth was too dry, and your throat tightened as you tried to respond; but before you could utter anything, her face lit up. Sapphire blue eyes glistened, and her slender lips revealed the whitest of loving smiles.

"Tim, close your mouth or say something. There's no need to do your fish imitation with me."

Definitely Mom, you thought. Only she could crack that line which she used on her children so often when they gaped about in amazement.

"Sh-rr-ee," you sputtered trying to generate some saliva and clearing your throat.

That broadened her smile for a moment before she looked very concerned at you and asked, "Are you alright, Tim? Why are you in a wheelchair?"

"I, I'm OK. Just a precaution the doctors want." She gives you that motherly look that is so strange on her new face, but you immediately add, "Achy and had a slight concussion, Mom. Nothing serious. Much better than what hap ..." Instantly you realize that probably what happened to her is not a good comparison.

With a sigh she looks off and replies, "Yes. I guess." Then she turns back to you, "Much less than dying ... twice from what they say. Although being brought back from the dead is pretty cool, huh?" She gives you a wink and giggles in an almost familiar way that your mom always did joking with you although it resonates gloriously with her new voice.

"Yeah. I guess," you chuckle.

"So, if you think you're able, how about giving your new undead mom a hug?" She starts to tear up as she continues. "I was so scared when they wouldn't tell me anything even about the rest of the family, and you were the last that they hesitated on. I thought maybe I lost you. Then I wished they should have given you the transplant. But now - here - you - are," she sniffles.