Hi Mom,

It will be 13 years this June since you left us. I still think of you every day. None of us have been the same since that day. I’m not sure what price I would pay just to spend one more day with you. You were our spirit and our glue.

You were Christmas. When we were kids you made Christmas special for us. You loved seeing the happiness in our faces. When we became adults, what made Christmas for us was seeing the happiness in your face. We still get together and exchange gifts but it has never felt like Christmas. We didn’t celebrate for a few years.

We miss your cooking. We miss your pies and cookies. We miss your laugh. We miss just picking up the phone to talk to you.

I have never been to your grave. I’m sorry. It still hurts too much. I think if I went there it would tear me apart. I know you aren’t really there.

That last year was hard for you. In the end, breathing just became too difficult. We were very sad when you decided to stop treatment. We are forever grateful to you for sparing us from making that decision. I’m not a believer but I know you were. You believed you were going to see Jesus and Dad. I hope you did.

Wherever you are, even if it is only in my memories, I hope you are at peace.

Love you, always.