Always

My mom passed away five years ago today. In some ways I can't believe she's been gone that long, and in other ways it feels like it's been forever since I heard her voice.

I used to work with a girl whose mom died the year before she got married. I asked her if it was hard not having her mom there on her wedding day, and she said surprisingly no, it wasn't nearly as hard as she thought it would be. She said she was prepared for the worst; expecting to be sad and lonely somewhere deep inside on one of the happiest days of her life, but it wasn't nearly as bad as she had feared.

Your mom is so much a part of the person you are. She gave you life. She's the first person who loved you. Her name is the first word you learn to say.

And I realize now why my friend wasn't distraught on her wedding day. No matter how old you are or where you are or what you're doing, your mother is always with you.

Always.