Chronicle: "I love you, Mom"

I was out on a reporting job and met Kalle 84 years - living in solitude since his wife died of cancer in 2014. Before the covid-19 pandemic and all restrictions, Kalle went to the City Mission during the days and met people he could keep up with. But now it is not possible, he is, as he himself expresses it "locked".

I'm thinking of my own mother, she probably wouldn't survive if she got covid-19. She is retired with diabetes and high blood pressure. Besides the insulin syringe she has to take every day, before the end of the day, she has managed to take 8 different tablets.

It's hard not to be able to hang out like before. Taking a lunch when I'm off work, having a coffee, or when mom gathers the whole family to invite us to a restaurant.

Happiness was total when after almost two months she saw her grandchildren again, even though it was through video calls on my mobile. And then we talk about a person who thinks for a week without meeting their grandchildren is a long time.

Several times a day my children hear that I love them, especially when I leave them at preschool or before bedtime. But even me and their mother hear from them that they love us.

The best feeling is when they just suddenly shout at one and say they love one. I'm not used to saying those words to my own parents, and I can't remember them saying that to me or my siblings during our upbringing.

It may just be so with their generation, but of course I know both my mom and dad love us, and they showed it in other ways, but it's so sick that I can barely get those words out of my mouth when I talk on the phone or meet my parents.

It's almost as if I'm ashamed to say those words to them, I'm not used to it. I basically talk to my mom on the phone every day, not only now because of corona, but even before the pandemic we were heard every day. And we always end the conversation by saying kiss to each other.

But now I promise myself not to end the conversation with just "puss hi". There are new times now and who knows, tomorrow may be late. Then I don't want to sit with tears running and regret that I couldn't even say the three words: I love you.