symbolism

    Toby and his family started to prepare there thanksgiving dinner. Even though Toby couldn't help much, because his disability, he still tried his best. His mother would hand him a spoon and bring him the something like mash potatoes that could be stirred because he really just wanted to be a part of his family that he felt so distant from. Once every thing was cooked and prepared, Toby felt obligated to stay out of the way of his family because he knew how they felt when he was around him. He hated how everyone felt sorry for him and tried to walk on egg shells when ever he was around, and worst of all, how they looked at him differently then the rest of his family. Thanksgiving; however, was different because he could act like a different person for the day and he couldn't hear any of the offensive things they would say about him. He would pretend as if he was not different from the rest of his family and just try to blend in and not be noticed. He also would take out his hearing aids, so the rude and hurtful things they would say about him wouldn't hurt. This is why Thanksgiving was Toby's favorite holiday.

   Ten years later, Toby got word that his mother was very sick. He hadn't been to his mother's house in almost five years now and he didn't know how to feel about that. However, he pushed aside his mixed feelings about this place and bought a plane ticket back home. When he stepped into the kitchen, he was flooded with so many memories of the times he got to help out and feel like he was apart of something, but also the memories of being someone he wasn't and the hatred that was shown to him. He then walked into his mother's bedroom where she lay still, and his hectic family around her bed crying and hugging one another. All he could think was: am I too late? He immediately felt guilty for even having the memories he had and wished he would have come sooner. His family embraced him and seemed genuinely happy to see him which made him wonder if his family would've accepted him for who he really is.

symbolism:Toby's mother dying= realization