A year ago we said goodbye to Mom.
I miss her smile, but not the suffering she endured.
I miss her wit, but not her weeping.
I miss her perseverance, but not her pain.

A year ago we said goodbye to Mom.
I miss our games of Uno, but not the “Oh no” sensation upon entering her room.
I miss the twinkle in her eye, but not her distress when she tinkled in her pants.
I miss hearing her say my name, but not her embarrassment when she couldn’t recall someone else’s.

A year ago we said goodbye to Mom.
I wish her last days had been more comfortable.
I wish she’d found more solace in her faith.
I wish she’d still wanted to eat ice cream.

A year ago we said goodbye to Mom.
I’m grateful for all she taught me.
How to escape into a good book.
How to cook and bake.
How to manage money.
How to work hard.
How to exasperate my children.
How to love someone in sickness and in health.

A year ago we said goodbye to Mom.
I miss her every day and always will.
I love her and will never wish her back.
She ran her race.
She finished well.
She is whole once more.

A year ago we said goodbye to Mom.
She is now reunited with those she longed to see in her final weeks on this earth.
Her husband.
Her parents.
Her siblings and their spouses.
Dear friends.

A year ago we said goodbye to Mom.
I am so grateful to have been with her when she went home.

In memory of Dorothea Lorraine Hess Stratton.
September 3, 1928-June 23, 2023