My mother planned to come to Boston, where I live, for the surgery so she could stay with me during her recovery. (My father died last year.) Boston has three hospitals in the top rank of orthopedic surgery.

NEWYORKER: Big Med

Soon after that, I left her, but this time I decided to call her every so often and stay in touch with one of her friends, who could fill me in (if only now and then).

NEWYORKER: Clara

They want to work as much as they can, so they're calling me up at odd hours or they're asking me to stay and work with them.

NPR: Life in the Land of the Midnight Sun