125 MOMENTS LIKE THIS LUKE’S POV Twenty–two years ago The symphony of birds chirping outside my window greeted me as I slowly opened my eyes. The warm rays of sun streaming in through the curtains enveloped me in a cozy embrace. I stretched my arms and let out a content sigh, knowing it was going to be a wonderful day. Saturdays were always special, but today was even more so because I had plans to spend the day with my mother in our garden. I felt joy and anticipation at the prospect of spending time with her in the splendor of nature. I couldn’t wait to start the day and make some beautiful memories with my dear mother, just as always. I jumped out of bed and quickly threw on some clothes before rushing down the stairs. As I descended, I could hear the faint sound of my mother’s voice coming from the garden. I burst through the back door and saw her kneeling in the dirt, carefully tending to her beloved plants. “Good morning, Luke!” she exclaimed, looking up at me with a warm smile on her face. The sight of her always brought a sense of peace and comfort to my heart. I greeted her back with a smile and joined her in the garden, ready to start the day together. “Morning, Mom!” I exclaimed with pure joy in my voice. “Can we please play in the garden today? It’s such a beautiful day, and I can’t wait to spend some time outside with you.” I stood, eagerly awaiting her response. I could already imagine all the fun activities we could do together in the garden. The possibilities were endless, from playing catch to having a tea party with my stuffed animals. I knew my mom would be just as excited as I was, and making more happy memories with her in our little outdoor oasis was just the thing. “Of course, sweetheart!” she said, putting down her gardening tools. “What game do you want to play?” “I want to play tag!” I exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. It was my favorite game to play with my mother, racing around the yard and trying to catch her. The thrill of chasing, being chased, the laughter, and the excitement always made for *a fun afternoon. I could already feel the warm sun on my skin and hear the sound of our footsteps as we walked around the trees and bushes. My mother’s playful tone caught me off guard as she declared, “Okay, but I get to be the one chasing you today!” I couldn’t help but laugh. I knew she loved to switch things up, and I was more than happy to go along with it. “You got it,” I replied with a smile, ready to let her be the one to chase me for a change. Moments like these made life really awesome. I couldn’t contain my joy as I ran around the beautiful garden, my mother playfully chasing after me. My giggles filled the air as I darted between the flowers and trees, feeling free and carefree. “You’ll never catch me, Mom!” I shouted, my voice ringing through the garden and my heart bursting with happiness. The sound of our laughter intertwined with the rustling leaves and chirping birds, creating a perfect moment of pure joy and love. “Oh, I will catch you, my little bunny!” she said, playfully pretending to grab me. I giggled as I ran around the trees, my mother hot on my heels. She lunged forward, trying to catch me, but I dodged her with ease. We were both breathless from laughter, our game of tag bringing us closer together. The warm sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor as we continued our playful chase. I could feel the wind in my hair and the thrill of my mother chasing after me to complete my chores. But at this moment, we were just two carefree souls enjoying the simple pleasure of a game. “You’re getting faster, Luke!” my mother exclaimed, trying to catch her breath. “I’m just too quick for you, Mom!” I replied, sticking my tongue out at her. We continued playing for what seemed like hours, running and chasing each other around the garden. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over us. I loved spending time with my mother; she was my best friend, and I always had the most fun when we were together. This was how we would often lose track of time, completely immersed in our lively conversations. I really feel grateful for these moments with my mother. She was not only my parent but also my confidant and companion. I would praise her always, even if it meant repeating the beautiful words. I knew that no matter what, she would always be there to make me smile and fill my days with joy. After a while, we both collapsed on the grass, panting and laughing. “That was so much fun, Mom!” I vocalized, trying to catch my breath. “I agree, but I think it’s time for a break, don’t you think?” She pulled out a picnic basket from behind a tree. I eagerly sat up and helped my mother lay out the blanket and set up our picnic. We enjoyed sandwiches and lemonade while admiring the beautiful flowers in our garden. My mother pointed out different flowers and taught me their names as we sat there. She also showed me how to care for them and plant new ones. I loved learning new things from her; she was always so patient and kind. After our delightful picnic, we were still brimming with energy and decided to extend our time outdoors by playing some more games. We started off with a classic game of hide–and–seek, running and giggling as we tried to find the perfect hiding spot. Next, we played Simon Says, taking turns being the leader and coming up with silly commands for each other to follow. But the highlight of our game session was when we decided to create our own game. We roamed around the lush garden, searching for different colored flowers and racing to see who could find them first. It was a fun and imaginative way to end our lovely day together. When the sun started to set, we both sat on the porch swing, watching the sky turn different shades of orange and pink. “Thank you for such a fun day, Mom,” I uttered softly, snuggling closer to her. “Thank you for being the best company, Luke,” she replied, her warm embrace enveloping me. It’s so wonderful to have a son like you,” she added, her eyes filled with pride and love. I couldn’t help but smile at her words, feeling grateful to have such a loving and supportive mother by my side. Her words filled me with a sense of purpose and reminded me of our special bond. I hugged her back tightly, cherishing the moment and knowing that I was lucky to have her in my life.