Bikeriders Serenade

A Letter To Mom

Inspired by Lucy’s act of courage, Austin felt a stirring within him—a desire to express his own long-held feelings. His mother had passed away when he was just 23, leaving behind a profound emptiness that had shaped his life. She had been his best friend, his rock, the one person who believed in him unconditionally. Her sacrifices had paved the way for his dreams of becoming an actor, and even though he had shared so much with her during her life, there were still words left unsaid. One quiet evening, after Lucy had put the kids to bed, Austin found himself unable to shake the urge to write. He slipped into his office, the familiar scent of old books and paper wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. He sat down at his desk, the soft glow of the lamp illuminating the blank page before him.For days, he had contemplated this moment, and now that he was here, the words flowed freely. He picked up his pen and began to write.“Dear Mom,” he started, his heart racing. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. I miss you more than I can put into words. Losing you at such a young age was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. I wish you could have been here to see everything I’ve accomplished, to share in the joy of my dreams coming true.”As he wrote, memories flooded his mind. He recalled a time when he was struggling in his career, feeling lost and contemplating giving up. He had sat on the edge of his bed, head in his hands, overwhelmed by self-doubt.“Mom,” he remembered saying, his voice cracking. “I don’t think I can do this anymore. It just feels like I’m never going to make it.”She had sat beside him, placing a comforting hand on his back. “Austin, every actor struggles at first. You can’t give up now. You have talent, and you need to believe in yourself as much as I believe in you. Remember, the best stories come from perseverance.”Her words had ignited a spark within him, a reminder that every journey has its challenges. He had taken a deep breath, feeling her unwavering support lift him from the depths of despair.Another memory surfaced—one filled with laughter and joy. They were at Knott’s Berry Farm, riding their favorite roller coaster, the wind whipping through their hair. After the seventh exhilarating ride, his mom looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. “Do you want to go again, Austin?” she asked, her excitement infectious.“You bet!” he had replied, grinning from ear to ear.They had ridden it seven more times, breaking the unofficial world record for the most consecutive rides. The thrill of the coaster mirrored the joy of being with her, the shared laughter echoing in his heart. Returning to his letter, Austin poured out his love and gratitude. “I wish you could have seen me fall in love with Lucy. You would have adored her. She’s everything I could have hoped for and more. I wish you could have been there on our wedding day, to see the happiness in my eyes and to dance with me like we used to.”He wrote about their children, feeling a bittersweet ache. “And I wish you could be here to watch your grandchildren grow up. I can only imagine how much joy they would bring you. I want them to know you, to hear your stories, to feel your love. It breaks my heart that they won’t have that chance.”As he finished the letter, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Folding the paper carefully, he placed it in an envelope, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. He knew he would share it with Lucy, just as she had shared her letter with him.With the letter tucked away, he climbed into bed beside Lucy, who was already asleep. He couldn’t wait to tell her about his own journey of expression, about the words he had finally found. As he drifted off to sleep, he felt a renewed sense of connection to his mother, knowing that he had taken a step toward healing. The next day, when they found a moment alone, Austin turned to Lucy, excitement bubbling within him. “I wrote a letter too,” he said, his voice filled with anticipation. Lucy smiled, her eyes brightening. “Really? That’s amazing, Austin. I’d love to hear it.”He took a deep breath, feeling both nervous and exhilarated. “It’s a letter to my mom. I want to share it with you.”As he unfolded the letter and began to read, Lucy listened intently, her heart swelling with love and admiration for him. In that moment, they shared not just their grief, but also their hopes, their dreams, and the enduring bonds of family that connected them both to those they had lost.