What Mother’s Day Is Like After You Lose Your Mom

I was 17 when my mom received her angel wings. It was one of the times in my life where it was like the Earth moved and everything changed. My mom was the definition of strength and everything I can only hope that I can one day embody. She was warmth, comfort, my friend, and someone I felt truly understood me better than anyone else in the world. So, when she passed you can imagine the shift in trying to celebrate Mother’s Day when she’s not there physically to be celebrated. Celebrating without your mom on the one day designated for her is…in one word…bittersweet.

When you see other people out and about with their mothers, you feel like there’s something missing, like you are supposed to be doing something…but since she’s not here what can I do? When some people lose a parent, they write off the holiday as just any other day but, in my case, I don’t. Since losing my mom, I see Mother’s Day as a day to reflect on the memories I have of her and celebrate what she meant to me. I go “visit” her and bring her all kinds of flowers I’d think she’d be happy to have. Then I’d go see my aunts or just spend the day with my family and friends. It’s a good feeling when you are around the people you love, talking, laughing and reminiscing about someone who you both love and miss. It’s something that makes me feel better when I am down and missing my mom. I feel like when you go through the loss of your mother, it’s important to celebrate those who are like a mother figure to you on Mother’s Day. It’s important to remember her and all the memories you must have to keep her alive in your heart.

Mother’s Day can be hard when all you want is your mother and she’s not there the way you want her to be. I am a firm believer in guardian angels and I believe my mom is mine. She’s watching over me, it’s something I know and feel with all my heart. So, for Mother’s Day this year I wanted to do something a little different for my mom. I decided that I would buy her a balloon and a card, write what I feel to her inside and then tie the card up the balloon and let it drift up to her. A friend of mind mentioned that people who have done this felt that it was therapeutic and I decided why not? It’s the thought that matters, right? Celebrating Mother’s Day without your mom is emotional, but I encourage you to keep your spirits high and remember and celebrate your mother for the most bad-ass mom that she was. Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours!