What is there that I could possibly say here that would ever let any one out there in the world who is reading this know how absolutely wonderful my mother was?  Do I tell you all about how strong she was, how loving she was, how fun and carefree she was?  Would stories detailing her characteristics show this?  Probably not.  Rather, it is easier to look at what my mom left behind.  The people who love her, who mourn for her.  The emptiness in our lives without her vitality and love filling those special places in our heart reserved just for her.

Mom died so young, too young and without any warning.  The loss will reverberate through us for the rest of our lives.  Its so hard to have to realize that she isn't there for me to talk to any more.  That I can't discuss my secrets, my goals, my dreams, and my life with her.  I realize that I am incredibly lucky to have had a relationship with my mom the way I do, but that doesn't make having to say good bye any easier.  Its true that you never really know what you have until its gone.  I always took my relationship with my mother for granted.  I always assumed there would be another day to have lunch together, thousands of more days to discuss my dreams and fears with her.  But in the blink of any eye, all those thousands of days were taken from me.

To any one who reads this, I hope that you realize how very lucky you are to have people who care about you and who you care about in return.  Don't take them for granted.  Don't always assume that there will be a tomorrow, because you know what, there might not be.  I did that with my mom and it is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.