Flashcards

Behind her head was was the wreath of white and yellow roses, draped with a satin ribbon inscribed Mother in purple cursive. Stephen had ordered it, as well as a heart-shaped arrangement of pink carnations, that resembled an oversized box of Valentine candy, with a ribbon that read Beloved. I had this strange feeling that the ribbons were like flash cards, meant to remind me in all the mugginess of funeral arrangements who I was and why I was here. This is your mother. You are her daughter. Your mother is dead.
-Lisa Carey, The Mermaids Singing