71 Days: The Photo Series

It's been exactly one year since my Mom called late at night from Alabama, saying she had stomach pain and asking if it sounded like the symptoms I had when my gallbladder was acting up a few years ago. I encouraged her to go to the emergency room, which she did immediately. Little did we know, the next 71 days would be the worst of our lives. And on 03.21.2016, she left this earthly home for her heavenly one.

Today, January 10, begins a 71 day photo series in remembrance of my dear sweet Momma. This is to honor her, my Best Friend.

For 66 incredible years, she lived a full and beautiful life. Those 71 days do not define her or her story. Her breathtaking beauty was matched only by her incredible heart. Her soul was full of kindness, and her spirit overflowed with thoughtfulness. She was eager to love and be loved. She was absolutely the best Gift from God.

It's true, those 71 days haunt me — they changed me and ransacked my life and taught me first-hand that life is short and we aren't promised tomorrow.

Those 71 days taught me cherish, to dream bigger and love harder, to be gentler with myself and with others. Without each other and without love, life is so empty. It's incomplete.

Thank you, friends, for being part of this journey. The memory of her is eternal.

The Day of All Saints

Since losing my Mom in March, I have appreciated the gentle guidance of a page-a-day journal called "Healing After Loss." Today's meditation was on the topic of the "communion of saints" — the fellowship between the living and the departed. It was a fitting subject because today, the 1st of November, also happens to be All Saints' Day.

Admittedly, I never really paid much attention to this day of remembrance when I was growing up in the Deep South. It seems I was always recovering from the sugar high of Halloween or more focused on trading candy with my parents and my friends.

I'm thankful that today, my lovely friends, Jenny and Chelsea, introduced me to the tradition of All Saints' Day when they hosted a potluck in honor of the occasion.

Their invitation simply stated, "You are invited to bring anything to share which reminds you of those {saints} you love." I knew instantly what to contribute. That's right, you guessed it: Momma's peach cobbler. Other than that, I wasn't sure what else to expect for the evening.

As folks gathered together in the cozy space of my friends' home, we had a smorgasbord of memorial dishes laid before us — lasagna from a WWII recipe, mashed potatoes with a secret ingredient, broccoli and mayo, white chicken enchiladas, kielbasa in pumpkin porter, grandpa's pecan pie, grandma's peanut brittle, decadent chocolate sauce, and saucy finger lickin' good barbecue ribs.

We sat around eating and sharing our cherished memories and celebrating our Loved Ones. It was a deeply touching evening, one I hope to take part in again next year.

Here's to the blessing of shared memories, warm hugs, and the comforting presence of dear friends. May the memory of your Loved Ones be eternal.

Light and Darkness

Today is the autumn equinox.  It is also the six month anniversary of my dear sweet Momma leaving this earthly home for her heavenly one. 

On March 21, 2016, she passed peacefully and quickly at Huntsville Hospital after a long illness, which she battled courageously and bravely and with so much sass.

She will forever be my best friend, my biggest fan, my rock, my solace, the person I love most in this world. I remain her baby girl, her best friend, her biggest fan, her pride and joy.

We have a depth of love and a special bond that spans death itself. God knit me in her womb, and this incredible woman gave me life. Without her — without my Momma — I wouldn't be.

My heart has been broken into a million pieces since her passing on. I am grateful she isn't suffering any more. I miss her more than I ever imagined. The death of a mother is no doubt the first sorrow wept without her.

My sweet, beautiful, smart, resourceful, talented, silly, resilient, strong Momma — I love and miss her in an indescribable way that aches me to my core.

My Friends: love on your Loved Ones today.  We aren't promised tomorrow.

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Never Forget

It's impossible for me to not have a heavy heart on a gut-wrenching anniversary such as today. So much has happened since September 11, 2001. It feels unreal to recognize that it has already been 15 years. Fifteen years. Surreal.

I was a freshman at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and was in the midst of an 8:00am German 101 class when the first tower was hit. The liberal arts dean came into the classroom and made the announcement. We all left the room quickly and gathered in the lobby of Morton Hall. This was before the days of social media, before Facebook Live and Snapchat. We all stood there, staring at an old TV atop an even older rolling cart, watching in horror as the news unfolded.

To be completely and ashamedly honest, some of us thought the plane hitting the North Tower was some kind of freak accident, perhaps an inexperienced pilot flying too low. Boy were we wrong. The South Tower was hit by the second plane as we all watched that grainy pixelated television. Then came the news of the Pentagon attack. Many of us wondered if Redstone Arsenal, the large military base near campus, was next.

So much has changed since that fateful day 15 years ago. The world is a different place now. The United States is an altered nation. 9/11 taught us unequivocally that the future is unpredictable and moreso that life is short. The tragedy also taught us that we must always remember. We must never forget.

There are some poignant words I've heard over the years which are fitting for the present day turmoil faced by this world. War creates 1,000 bin Ladens. And only the dead have seen an end to war.

Peace and mercy and blessings be upon you and yours. May God protect us all.