My mom passed away when I was 27 years old. She was 53. As I get closer and closer to the age she was when she passed, I learn so much more about her. I suppose what I mean is that I understand her in ways I never did as a kid. Or even as an adult that had no children at the time of her passing. Having my own kids helped me understand her exhaustion. Knowing she’d lost my older brother helps me understand how strong she was. I knew she was strong but I can honestly say, even now with more relatable context, I still have no idea how she held it together for my little sister and me. But she did. There were days when she’d lay on the couch and I’d try really hard to get her to get up and go on a walk with me or go DO something…

I didn’t understand then what I understand now.

Today, for no reason other than my heart is both heavy and full with memories of my mom, I want to say aloud, “I love you mom. I miss you.”

-Jai.
☕️✏️🥰