Chapter: After the Visits Stopped

Chapter: After the Visits Stopped

Over the last few years—probably since 2018 or 2019—my routine has shifted. My weekly welfare now goes directly into my bank account, so I no longer need to stand in line at the post office like I once did. The rhythm of my weeks has quietened. I also don’t do the weekly shopping runs anymore—not like I did when Josephine was coming. Back then, those trips meant something. They were part of the preparation, part of the welcome. Now, I tend to skip them unless absolutely necessary. I wait until the milk is nearly at its best before date before I head out. Life became quieter, more selective, less about routine and more about what’s essential.

Still, even with the silence and the change in routine, some things haven’t faded. I may not do the weekly shops anymore, but I still gather things now and then—with her in mind. The care packages I send to Josephine are my quiet way of staying connected, even if our paths have drifted. They carry more than food or supplies. They carry memories, care, and the reminder that, despite the distance and everything that came between us, someone still remembers.

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