Olivia had lost her own son, and everything had lost significance, especially Thanksgiving. That is, until she heard her son’s voice on her phone two years after he had died. Olivia didn’t lack for things to be grateful for. She had a house, albeit a little one. When they passed one other on the street, she would wave and grin. And the world beyond her home was intriguing, colorful, and exhilarating.

It’s just that one major loss had wrecked her life overnight, and nothing seemed to seem like a godsend anymore. Her son, the center of her existence and the source of her life, had died two years before. “Time is odd,” Olivia reflected as she sat beside the window. “Two years may seem like an eternity at times.” At times, it seems as though my Daryl kissed me farewell only yesterday, vowing to return for Thanksgiving.” She cried as she remembered Daryl’s childish grin, the delight that had never faded from his face.

“It’s Thanksgiving today, kid,” Olivia said to her son visualization. “There is no turkey on the table, but your seat remains unoccupied.” Will you come rushing back? For a meal…a hug…or a decent farewell!” Olivia knew it would be an emotional evening, as it was every other evening these days. She had figured out how to bargain her way out of the misery, at least for a few hours.

Olivia took up the phone and began scrolling through old photos of better times with her only kid. “Can you believe it has been there, undiscovered for two years…” A brief ringing of the phone halted her stroll down memory lane. It was an unknown number’s message. “Who is this individual?” The profile photo on the phone number seemed to be familiar. Olivia put on her glasses and leaned forward, and her heart stopped for a beat.

It was her son Daryl’s photo, looking dapper in his black eyeglasses and smiling the same… “I must be dreaming,” Olivia reasoned. She wasn’t going to destroy a dream by examining and reasoning it. She jumped right to the message. Olivia pushed the play button, not knowing what to anticipate from the audio recording. “Hello, Mom!” Olivia jumped out of her skin when she heard the voice. Goosebumps covered the whole body. It was too much for her old heart to endure, so she pressed the stop button hastily.

Daryl’s voice was heard. Olivia gripped the phone tightly, attempting to keep her hands from shaking. “Hello, Mom! This morning, I experienced the strangest waking dream. I was floating in this…paradise-like environment, surrounded by dazzling white light in all directions. Mom, it was only me and the light. And I recall looking for the source of it. I stared up as far as my eyes could reach, yet there was no beginning or finish in sight.

This disturbed me until I heard faint singing in the background. I felt like I was in a vast room with someone singing from outside. And that was the most incredible sensation ever when I recognized that song! Ma, it was that lullaby you used to sing to me. When you were a youngster, your grandmother used to sing to you. In that dream, I sensed your presence. I could feel your embrace, your words, and your warmth. I was so missing you that I awoke seeking for you.

That’s when I realized: That’s how I must’ve felt when I was a tiny little thing inside your womb! Mom, did you sing that lullaby to me while I was in your womb?” Olivia wiped her eyes as she nodded. She was listening to her son converse with her. It seemed as if he was conversing with her from another universe. “I never truly thanked you in the previous several years, mum, did I?”

That’s a pity. Because there is so much to be grateful for. So, mum, this is a 2 a.m. thank you note.” Daryl laughed awkwardly. “I appreciate you being there for me through thick and thin. I realize I haven’t always been the best son. I made a lot of bad decisions in my life: I dropped out, married too young, divorced, and lost my career… But, with your help, I was able to pick myself up, return to college, get my business degree, rediscover love, establish my own company, and be acknowledged for my efforts…

“None of this would have occurred if it hadn’t been for you,” Daryl remarked, his grin brightening his voice. Thank you for attempting to alleviate my agony in any way you could, whether it was loan me your hard-earned money when I was at rock bottom or massage my head when I couldn’t sleep due to stress. And thank you for being concerned about my health, happiness, and well-being all these years, just as you were when I was a little baby in your stomach.

I adore you. And now that I’m successful, I’m going to pamper you with everything you could possibly want. Mom, I am and will always be a part of you. Just like I used to be! Mom, I adore you. Regardless of how distant I am. I’m looking forward to seeing you on Thanksgiving!” The audio cut off, and the room was silent once again. Olivia had been so engrossed in Daryl’s voice that she had forgotten he wasn’t in the same room with her.

She let the remainder of her tears fall and prepared to be alone once again. The doorbell rang at that moment. She examined the keyhole. A young guy clutching a bouquet of flowers had a faintly familiar face. “May I assist you, young man?” Olivia’s voice was trembling from sobbing. “Good day, ma’am. “My name is Steve,” the young guy said quietly. “Steve…?” The name also seemed oddly familiar. Olivia felt bad for her visitor and let him in. “Please have a seat. “Drink some coffee,” she said, racing to prepare a new pot.

“Last week, I chance to locate his phone in my garage,” Steve said. “Can you believe it has been there, undiscovered for two years…” Daryl had spent his last night at Steve’s residence, Steve said. They’d had a substantial supper, long talk, and a few drinks. “That night, he couldn’t stop talking about you. That, I believe, is what drove him to record a message that night. He had to have forgotten to mail it…” Steve elaborated. Thank god he recorded it.

Because the following morning, on his way to work, Daryl was involved in a senseless accident and died far away from his mother’s embrace. “I shared this on Thanksgiving because I thought it would relieve your grief on this tough day,” Steve added tenderly. “Thank you very much, son. Yes, you did. I never got to say goodbye to my baby, and this…this was incredible!” Olivia wept.

Olivia and Steve’s relationship didn’t begin with that talk. Olivia would never spend a single Thanksgiving or Christmas alone for the rest of her life. Daryl’s place on the table remained vacant, but there was now a third space next to it that was always taken once a week. It was Steve’s position.