Other than the crossword puzzles in TV Guide growing up, I was so not a crossword puzzle solver. My mom was always surprised by this. I loved books, I loved to read, I loved play on words, I loved words. Why would I not share her passion for the New York Times crossword puzzles? I did not.
During the few weeks I was in Brooklyn while my mother was in the hospital, I'd kill time by staring at the crossword puzzle, on the verge of tears because this was Mom's puzzle that was not being completed.
The day before my mom died, with a little bit of help from my brother, I finished the Monday puzzle in the Times. Even though my mom wasn't conscious, I walked in to her hospital room, excited to share the news with her that I'd completed a puzzle. I don't know how I know it, but I know that the message was received. I could feel her say, "I told you so!" Granted, in all the many months since, I'm mostly able to finish just the Monday, maybe Tuesday puzzle on my own. Only twice have I finished a puzzle later in the week. (They get more difficult as the week progresses.) I believe my mother left me the power of words.
Maybe once I finish my Monday and Tuesday books, I'll be ready for the Wednesday book.
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