Happy Birthday, Mom

Happy Birthday, Mom. Again, it is a weird kind of birthday. You didn't really get to turn a year older. You will forever be 51 - just six weeks shy of 52.

Trying not to be sad. Trying not to miss you too much or be jealous of others with their Moms. Trying not to be angry about all the things that are different about this world without you in it. I don't think I ever understood how caring, supportive and giving you were to me and our whole family until I've seen life without you.

Your life and death has taught me so much about living. Thank you. Thanks for never giving up the fight against ALS. Thanks for not choosing to end my life when you got pregnant at 18 years old. Thanks for loving me in a way only a Mom can. Thanks for never giving up on me. Thanks for always being my Mom. Happy Birthday.