Wow, 5 years.  How can time go by so fast?  I still feel very blessed to have had the time that I had with mom.  I have amazing friends that gave me a memorial stone that sits in my garden by my fruit trees.  I am mostly happy and not sad.  I still have grief from time to time that hits me soft or hard depending on the moment.  Overall, I can mostly smile, hum a little song, make a dinner or recipe of some type that mom would have made or liked.  Tonight I had my brother Scott and part of his family over for enchiladas and strawberry rhubarb pie.  These are things that mom would have enjoyed.  I do miss her, rather intensely at times yet I am grateful that she is in the place that she is and to be dancing and praising Jesus.  A friend wrote this poem for mom and gave it to me today.

Grand rocks atop the hills

Lush valley below

The sun rises across the land

Eagles in the sky

Warm air on the rise

She sees through the

stillness from upon high

Sage and pine

Scents of the Devine

She gazes up to find her

time

Beloved Mother rest

You've done your best

Your name will carry on

 Anita Anita Anita

Smile down on us as you

soar on

To that place that you

belong

Peaceful rest

You've done your best

Your name will carry on.

I feel her presence on a regular basis.  Love you mom.