On Earth, It’s Mothers Day

On Earth, it’s Mother’s Day.

My Mom sits on a garden bench overlooking Earth. Today is special, Mother’s Day, and the veil between worlds grows thin with love and remembrance.

“You’re thinking of me today,” she smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners just as they did in life. “I feel your memories of me so strongly right now.”

“I want you to know that you were the reason I found strength when your father divorced me, taking your older sister with him. Losing custody of my eldest daughter in an era when judges rarely ruled in mothers’ favor broke my heart, but you gave me purpose. I watched as it tore at your heart when she was taken away, not understanding any of it. I understand why you clung to your younger brother, fearing he would be taken as well.”

She pauses, a shadow of familiar grief passing across her radiant face.

“How hard it was for you when a drunk driver killed him at nineteen, while he was simply walking down the street. It was hard for me to console you as I was grieving myself uncontrollably.”

The heavenly light softens around her as she leans forward, as if to bridge the distance between worlds.

“My heart ached for you when I watched you bury two husbands and experience divorce with another. And now you are blessed with two children and four grandchildren, along with Susy’s family, whom you call your own. Teach them what I taught you: family always comes first, listen to both sides of a story before judging, and tell them you love them every chance you get.

“Please know that I am here,” she whispers, “watching over you, just as I always did. Family first, always and forever.”

Love, Mom