many years ago...
"Mary?"
"Yes Mom?"
"I'm going to tell you a secret that will help you in the days to come."
"I'm listening."
If you ever miss me, know that I'm always here, watching over you..."
"What do you mean mom?"
"..."
"Mom? Mom!"
two days later...
"don't you get it Mary? Your mother is dead, and i can't take care of you by my self!"
"But she said she'd always be here, watching over us."
"Well she lied. Now get out of here."
"What? But father-"
"I said go!"
a week later...
"i don't know what to do, Bert. My mother's gone and father sent me away."
"Its all right, Mary. I know exactly where you can go."
"Really? Oh thank you Bert. You'll always be like a brother to me."
"Any time."
a week ago...
"watch this Mary!"
"Don't! You'll never make it!"
"Sure i will! Here i go!"
"No!"
"HELP!"
"BERT! No... Please come back...no..."
present day...
Mary Poppins woke up with a start. Tears stained her face at the horrible memories. Some were old. The grief for her mother had died down over the years, becoming an occasional longing ache. But others were more recent. Bert had died but a week ago, and every time she thought about him, she felt as if she had stabbed. Every night, she dreamt of him. Every night, she wished she could go back in time to when they were in the chalk painting together, young and hopelessly in love. But she had to stop thinking about the past. The Banks family needed her again. She could identify with the three children. They had lost their mother just like she had. Yesterday evening, they had been missing her. She saw herself in them. She had sung them the same song that her mother sang to her just before she died. After they were all sleeping, she retreated into her room and cried.