Losing My Marbles, Finding My Peace

Birthday Reflections wrapped in grief, from November 2024:

A couple of weeks ago I was in my mother’s bedroom packing her things, a task that anyone who has experienced loss understands is filled with a range of emotions. Thankfully I had the luxury of taking my time to pause and look through pictures and choose sentimental items that my brother and I could keep and some we could share with loved ones. Somehow even at my slow pace, I managed to knock over a glass decoration filled with marbles. As I watched the shards of glass and marbles crash to the floor, I figured I could either collapse in tears or I could just start cleaning up, so naturally I did both! As I reflect on my birthday today I think this is, like everyday since my fun-loving, hilarious, opinionated, sweet mom transitioned in September, another chance to choose both! I will grieve with my whole body and soul AND celebrate all of the beautiful, messy, sometimes blissfully uneventful days that I get to live. I’ll do it for my mom, for myself, and for all of us living with grief! Life is fleeting, love is eternal!

P.S. I took this picture as I was cleaning that day. I noticed I was wearing my mother’s peace bracelet and I laughed thinking that it was a true illustration of making peace with losing my marbles! #stillgotem #justscattered #loveyou #mom #beyond #thelastbreath #eternal #love #deeproots #likeatree #happybirthdaytome