15 Years

It's hard to believe that 15 years ago was the last time I saw my mom's face or touched her hand. She died at home, where she wanted to be. For anyone who knew her they would say she was a woman ahead of her time, she was eating organic long before it was in style, knew the importance of being honest and was always working to be the best for her girls and herself. She would say things like, 80% of life is just showing up - it wasn't until I was an adult that I understood how true that statement is.

An admitted momma's girl, I have missed her for a lot of reasons over the years but it has been the hardest not having her here since I have been a mother. She would have soaked up every ounce of being a grandmother and would have gotten a thrill out of watching Leslie and I with our kids.

Never in a million years did I think I would be that close to cancer again, there is certainly a part of me that thought I'd checked that box and would be, or maybe should be exempt from the heartache it causes.

Somehow through the years and many moves a little card that she had has stayed with me, it now hangs on our refrigerator and reads:

Don't Give Up

You may be tempted to,

But don't give up;

When you've lost the desire

to try,

And you've misplaced your

hopeful dreams,

Dare to believe again in the

impossible;

Catch a ray of sunshine,

And hold on tightly;

The One who holds your hand...

Will never let you go.

I love you mom.