I love your story; it captures those moments when we’re so exhausted that we need to slow down. Some people say there’s a goblin in the house , one that takes things or moves them around , but that’s not it at all; it’s just us forgetting things because we’re so tired. In situations like that, I do exactly what you do: I go to sleep.
I also love picturing your mother making tea and the note she left; that part is touching , really lovely.