It’s Easter morning and while it’s a day that often brings me a sense of peace, it’s yet another day that reminds me of a tough reality. The reality my mom is no longer physically here. And like so many things, the beautiful Lily perched in splendor on our table remind me of her.

Death is part of life and whether we like it or not, death and the grief that follows creates a delicately spun bond. A universal bond that unites us through our bittersweet experiences with loss and grief.

And the holidays often serve as a reminder of the hole that heavily sits on our hearts and the empty chair that’s difficult to ignore on these special days.

Holidays tend to turn up the noise on the grief we carry. The absence of a loved ones presence is undeniable and memories of holidays past plant themselves deep from within.

Obviously, memories are sacred and I’m thankful for every one of them but it doesn’t change the fact that I would give anything to bring my mom her annual Easter Lily and bring her to our house for Easter dinner and hunting for eggs with the grandkids.

For as long as I can remember I shared Easter Sunday with my mom and memories of coloring Easter eggs, beautiful baskets, the Easter Lily and going to church are part of who I am.

But isn’t that the point? Life is about living, experiencing, loving and building memories with those we love.

We all have one life to live and regardless of how long life is, every moment we get to share with the people we love is a blessing and a gift.

Life is a series of moments. Some will be ordinary and some will be extraordinary. Some will be filled with joy and some will be filled with pain. But each and every moment we are able to breathe in the life around us, is another moment we get to share with others and it’s another moment we get to make a difference in the world, love and live.

Part of this beautiful but challenging journey we are all on comes with loss and grief. It’s a journey that hurts and is never easy. But every time I lose someone that means something to me, I’m reminded of love. We wouldn’t know the pain of grief if we didn’t know the beauty of love.

I’m grateful for love. To give it and to receive it. Love is what carries us through the darkest of storms. Love is what sustains us when nothing else does.

I’m grieving today and the loss I carry in my heart for my mom is ever present as I look at the Lily sitting in its glory staring back at me. I can’t bring her back but I can lose myself in memories of the many Easters we were blessed to share. And smile with each and every one of them.

The Easter Lily reminds me that my mom is no longer here but it also reminds me of what today is really about. It reminds me that my moms love will always be with me and in my heart. The lily stands as a symbol of my moms legacy and it pushes me to create traditions with my own family and my beautiful grandkids.

So the coloring of eggs, the beautiful baskets and Easter egg hunts will continue in her honor. My family, and the laughter and magic in my grandkids eyes will hold me up and carry me through from year to year and I know in my heart she is with me every step of the way.

If you’re missing a special person or people today, I’m sorry and I understand the void left behind. A void that can feel extra big and empty on holidays. My heart is holding extra space for you today and I hope you can find things that keep your memories close, bring you peace and pockets of joy.

Sending all the love and remember, love will carry you through.

Michele