Today was the third anniversary of my mother’s passing…

I still have moments of sadness, and I certainly still miss her—I imagine I always will. I often see things I wish I could show her, still hear about things I wish I could share with her.

I think Mom would be happy to see how well Pop seems to be doing, and how "the baby" and my niece are helping him. They moved up north, closer to where our middle sister lives, and she checks in on them regularly. I call Pop at least once weekly, and our brother is keeping in touch as well.

One thing that gives me peace, as much as I wish she were still with me, is that she missed the 2024 election and all that has followed. She would be so disappointed in our country and the direction it’s taken. Ironic, because she was one of the few people I’ve known who could usually find something hopeful, a way to move forward in most situations.

But what I’ll never, ever forget, is how kind so many were here, while I was involved with helping my family make arrangements, working on being supportive to Pop and my siblings. Struggling with my own grief, of course. Friends here talked with me and offered a shoulder whenever I needed it.
It helped more than you’ll ever know.

Thank you.