Remembering Mom

It's been three years now since my mom passed away. As cliché as it sounds to say, it doesn't seem that long. That's good, the memory of my mother is still fresh in my mind. I hope it stays that way.

The last day I spent with mom was just 10 days before her unexpected death. I recall standing in her kitchen chopping an onion for her. We were enjoying a laugh over my pain. How ironic that a short time after that my eyes would be filled with tears for a different reason.

That visit with my parents three years ago was to enjoy a backyard cookout with family and friends. I recall how joyful mom was that day, despite her aphasia. That's a memory I'll always cherish. It seems appropriate that today we'll once again gather at my parent's house for a family cookout, not to mourn, but to celebrate and recall mom's life. Especially her smile.