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Nana,

Where do I begin? You were my best friend and a second mommy to me. I loved watching two strong women work together to raise me… my mom always including you because not only did she need the help, but she said “more love for her daughter.”

People always say after losing a loved one that they would do anything for “one more”… one more day, one more conversation, one more hug but that would be too hard for me. Knowing you were human and I would have to lose you one day was hard enough. I would do anything for you to be immortal so I would never have to experience losing you or a life without you. Then maybe you could dance at my wedding, hold my future children and give me your much needed wisdom. We would travel and laugh and drink whiskey. That is what I would give anything for.

Happy heavenly Mother’s Day from your bonus child, your best friend and your biggest admirer.

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This is my 18th Mother’s Day without you and it hasn’t gotten any easier. I miss you everyday- Your voice, your sweet smile, your hugs, and everything else about you. There was so much more I wanted to do with you and for you, but I will just simply thank you for your fierce protection while you were here. I can feel it even now just as I always have. As I have grown older I’ve been able to realize the magnitude of the sacrifices you made and how hard you loved, worked, and fought for us. I truly could not have asked for a better Mommy. Continue to watch over Chris and I until I see you again. I love you endlessly

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Mommy… that’s what I still sometimes called you even into my late 30s! You have and always will be the picture of all a woman should be. Loving, warm, kind, wise and the strength and comfort a lighthouse brings. I wish you a happy, heavenly, Mother’s Day, and know that I am still striving to be half the woman you are. As that old gospel song by Elvis goes, “if we never meet again, this side of heaven, I’ll meet you on that beautiful shore..” I cannot wait to see you there someday, my sweet Mommy.🌹🌅

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This mother's day is hitting a little harder than the others. I think about how I would be calling you right now asking you how you made it through these big milestones. Zoe is a beautiful teenager, and I am struggling with not being able to share her accomplishments with you. You would be so proud of her. And of course the boys, they are crazy, but they remind me of how Jon and I use to act, and I honestly just laugh at them because I know that is what you are doing too. You prepare me for so much in my life, but no one can prepare me for living without you. I miss you every day, but I also see you in Zoe's style and love for vintage, in Grayson and his empathic heart, and in Logan in his big smile. I love you mom!

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Mi mami, Cristina, and little me, Veronica.

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Mami, another Mother’s Day without your physical presence. I feel like I just hugged you yet we’re nearing 3 and a half years. I search for you in everything and I see you in so much. I see you in the moon, in beautiful birds or flowers, in the mountains, and in so much more. I told you once si tengo fuerza es porque vos me lo diste and now that you’re gone, in all my actions, especially those that scare me, I think of you and imagine your words of encouragement. You’re my strength. You’re my inspiration. I am so thankful you were mi mami. As much as I wish you could still be here as I knew you, I am comforted by the many ways I can still connect to your energy—an energy that transcends physical death. You were right when you said you would never leave me, not really. The love that bonded us remains and with it I will continue to weave you into the rest of my days.

I’d like to close with the words from the book you read to me as a child and I then read to you, in both English and Spanish, at the start of your hospice:

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my mommy you’ll be.”

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My mum forgot who I was

My existence as her daughter extinguished overnight

One day she knew me

And the next she didn’t

A discarded memory

Her child

How could she?

Forget me

And all that I was to her

Did I really mean so little?

I felt angry

Abandoned

Scared

Bereft

‘Don’t say you’re my daughter, I don’t have one’  she said

‘Yes you do’ I whispered

Dementia took my mother

But she replaced her with something else

Something I didn’t know I wanted

Connection

And Friendship

With a wonderful woman

Pat

We laughed at life

Lamenting her not having children

‘I’d  love to have had a child like you’, she said

‘I’ll need to tell your mother all about you’, she said

‘I think she already knows’, I whispered.

(She passed away surrounded with love in 2015)

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Remembering you this Mother’s Day, and every Mother’s Day forever. It’s been 30 years since you left us, but you’ve never left me. I feel you everywhere. In the most beautiful moments, on the hardest days; you are always there. I smell your perfume on the streets. Smell your cooking wafting from windows. I know you are saying hello every time I see a pink flower, especially roses. You gave me safety and love as a child, and you continue to do so in spirit. I miss you every day, but I’m grateful to have known you and your love while you were here. It’s never left my heart, and it is a gift that I’ll forever cherish.

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My sweet, sweet mother. How I miss your laugh, your wisdom, your listening ear, and your encouragement. I can’t believe this year will be four years since you have left this world. One moment you were with us, and the next I was signing paperwork to remove you from the machines. Your undetected cancer got the best of you, but it’s probably for the better you didn’t know. You lived happily until the last moment with no pain. While I’d give anything to talk to you again, I’m comforted seeing signs of you everywhere and hearing your voice chime in often. I miss you every day, and I hope I’m making you proud with the life I am rebuilding.

Love always,

Your Sunshine

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My mom, Fran, on our trip to Hawaii in 2015.

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I can feel my mom’s presence in my life, though I’ve lived without her for the past two years. It’s funny how the things she did when I was a kid that would embarrass me are the qualities I admire most. She was always friendly to everyone and interested in their story. She was the best at getting a deal and had no qualms about returning things, even a bird that died the day she bought to Kmart the following day after storing it in the freezer overnight. Mom was also a person full of faith and generosity to those around her. I can feel her presence when I get a good deal at the grocery store or talk to strangers because I’m interested in meeting new people. I honor her memory by being generous to the causes of what she cared about. I love you, mom.

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Dear mom

I love and miss you so much. My life has been complete hell and I have needed you so much and I know that things would’ve been so Much easier if you were here to help me I love you mom and I miss you and I need you so much. I hope you are happy where you’re please hug my babies for me please and let them know how much I love Miss them until we are together again.

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“I miss you more than I remember you”

-Ocean Vuong

Dear Mom,

I can’t believe it’s been almost 4 years. 4 years since you took your last breath; heaving, almost gasping for air in the hospital bed we set up for you in the downstairs office room. The room where we all slept on the floor, rotating each night to “keep watch” or listen for changes in your breathing. It was too late for hospice care, we did what we could to care for you until the very end. I still can’t admit that you are “in a better place now” or “no longer in pain”. Your last gasp for air was more like a plea than a sigh of relief, as if to tell us it wasn’t time and that you weren’t ready. In those early days, my grief used to consume me. The hole you left in my heart and in all our lives was unfathomable. I’ve learned to carry my grief, to build my life around it like tree rings around the center bark. Marking a year of growth, of change, of another year without you.

I have a daughter now. She is almost 2 years old and she is the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me. We look at your picture and call you “Grammy” but it breaks my heart every time, knowing that her life and your life will never coexist in the same time and space. I can only hope that in another lifetime or universe, your souls will one day meet.

I am starting to miss you more than I remember you.

Love,

Your daughter

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This Mother’s Day, I celebrate you. I celebrate the life, legacy and community she built. She didn’t let the worries and fears overcome her life, she kept living a life for Christ until the day he welcomed her home with him. She taught me how to be a mother that will encourage, appreciate and nurture any child that joins our family. This Mother’s Day, I’ll remember the beautiful memories we created. She gave me the best life and those memories will be what I remember this 2nd Mother’s Day without her. Gosh, I miss her so much and cannot wait for the day we’re reunited again. Until then, I hope I continue to make you proud momma.

I’ll keep your fork 🩵🍴

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It's hard enough losing your Mom. It's even harder to take care of her near the end. You were the one that taught me to be that way. To be a caregiver. You took care of your Dad until he passed. Now I understand what you went through. You grand daughters followed your footsteps and became nurses too. I miss you so much. I love you Mom.

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Te extraño mucho. Las fiestas en familia no son iguales sin tu presencia. Gracias por tanto amor, sonrisas y enseñanzas. Fuiste y siempre serás la mejor abuelita. Te recuerdo con mucho cariño cuando veo las mariposas y cuando escucho el mariachi. Te llevo en mi corazón siempre. 🦋

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No one will ever understand the feeling of not having you here physically for every moment in life. Holidays are the hardest! Thank you for everything you taught me , and continue to teach me cause I feel you! Love you to the moon and back 🌙💕

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Mom,

My heart consistently aches for your presence. Some days I still can’t quite grasp the fact that you’re no longer here physically. I see you in every butterfly, and know your spirit surrounds me—but goodness don’t I miss you.

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Mom, I will never get over the longing for knowing your love. I never got to wish you a Happy Mother's Day, although I think of you alot, especially on this day. I love you, mom, happy Mother's day.

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Mom, I will never get over the longing for knowing your love. I never got to wish you a Happy Mother's Day, although I think of you alot, especially on this day. I love you, mom, happy Mother's day.

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And mine was the most special. Missing you today, and always. I love making your cranberry salad, and remembering your laugh. I love you, grandma!

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I so look forward to the forsythia growing each year as it helps me feel close to you. I miss you more than words can say and although you're not here, I hear your voice telling me to "Bloom Where You Are Planted." I'm trying.

Happy Mother's Day, to my best friend! I love you more than all the stars in the sky, fish in the sea and sand on the beach.

🌷🌹🌻

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I’ve been a motherless daughter for almost 40 years now. I’ve worked hard to make you proud Mom because you were my best friend and I know you are watching over me and guiding me. Love you and like you everyday.

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Mom, I am so grateful for your eternal love and support. Know that I can always feel your presence with me - guiding me, protecting me, and unconditionally loving me. My heart is certain that you are still with me, and that has alleviated the pain of losing you physically. Thank you for being a guiding light in my life. Happy Mother’s Day, my angel. 🤍🪽

Love,

Renata Comparini

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Mother's Day is bittersweet because it amplifies the hole in my heart but also reminds me of the blessings of my own kids. I miss you and love you more that words can say. I'll keep talking about being a DWOM to honor you and to give others the chance to share the story of their mom's and loved ones. Beth

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I’ve been missing your guidance, love, and laughs. I hope you know how much I think about you, and how much I create in your honor! I love you! Being a mom without my mom is hard, so keep sending me your signs and protective love 💕

-Kera (Editor-in-chief)