the airline lost my big red suitcase
all my clothes were in it
I was frantic
so I called my mother on her cell
I was excited
when she answered
I knew she was dressed in her pink-checked pants suit
the one she often wore when she played
with my then-three-year-old
I knew she’d help me find my suitcase
“Your small red bag,” she laughed
“It fit right into a space in the trunk!” 
and I laughed with her