This is a picture of my mom from a Christmas past. I’m not sure which year, but it was probably at least 15 years ago.
Today would have been my mom’s 86th birthday, but she passed away this past October 25th. It’s still surreal to not have her around. To not be able to talk to her. We were so close.
Last year was especially difficult for my mom. She was in and out of the hospital and different rehab facilities. On repeat. But she always kept her same sense of humor through it all.
This past holiday season was the first one without her and the firsts without her will continue. I struggled to find this picture and to write a title for this post. I struggled to write her obituary.
It feels strange to write this blog post, because I haven’t blogged since May. When my father died, it was really hard. But I still had my mom. And that made a huge difference. Now they are both gone.
I still have my brother and lots of family and friends, so I’ve had a lot of support. But things will never be the same after losing both parents. I have a ton of wonderful memories and they instilled in me a love of life. So I’m looking forward to the next chapters of my life. But I’m still mourning the previous ones.
