It’s been eleven years since I lost my Mom and I still miss her wisdom and unconditional love.  Of all the holidays I find Mother’s Day to be the most nostalgic without having my Mom to cheer me on.

I find myself speaking to Mom as if she was next to me.  I can speak without constraint knowing that she will understand all my emotional hopes and fears.

If speaking out makes you uncomfortable you could write your Mom a heartfelt letter that tells her how you are feeling.  Jot down anything and everything, even if what you are feeling is guilt, fear or anger.  Afterwards you can leave the letter at her resting place or destroy it.

If you were used to going to your Mom for advise then before making any important decisions, ask yourself, “What would Mom say about this?”  Then be still and let your thoughts be free to acknowledge what she would have said about that situation.

Believe in her love for you and know that as long as you are alive, her love is alive within you.  If you believe that the human spirit lives on, you can continue to feel her love and know that you will see her again.

It’s not that your Mom can be replaced, but when she is gone, you need to take all her love and give it to another that needs it.  Gather all her tenderness, warmth, affection and roll it all together for you to give to your family and friends.  Give it to all the people you care for and by doing so you will collect even more people in your life.

When Mom died I loved the condolences that offered a funny story or a heartwarming memory about her.  Those stories I held on to and they gave me strength to move past my grief.

Thank you Mom for raising me to face my fears in so many different ways.  Because of your strength I’m able to heal that much faster.  Your favorite saying was “ It is what it is” and I repeat that as I enjoy living each moment, even with all it’s ups and downs.