I was talking to my sister the other day about the upcoming first anniversary of our mom’s death, which happens to fall on Easter this year.
My sister said that at first she was sad that Mom’s anniversary is the same day as Easter. She said Easter is supposed to be a happy day with egg hunts and baskets full of candy, but it will be sad this year because all we will be thinking about is the day our mom died.
But then she began to rethink things.
She realized that Easter represents new life and maybe this is Mom’s way of telling us that it’s time to move forward and start living our lives again. There has been so much pain and sadness in this year of firsts, but now that it’s over, it’s time to be happy again.
It’s time for new life.
I couldn’t agree more.
I have spent so much time in the darkness. I never thought I would find my way out. I never pictured a day when I would smile again. I mean actually, truly, genuinely smile.
And yet, here I am.
I have dug myself out. I am happy and grateful and moving forward with my life. There are still days when my grief knocks the wind out of me, but they are fewer and farther between.
When my mom was living with Alzheimer’s, I didn’t allow myself to dream about life after. It felt selfish and uncaring. It consumed me with guilt.
But I just want you all to know, there is life on the other side. Different, yes, but equally beautiful and perhaps more meaningful than ever before.
I believe that we live many different lives in our one precious life. I have lived my life of pain and sadness. I have found the light again. I am ready for my next life. My new life.
Who knows what challenges and hardships await me in this new life, but I know one thing for sure — I’ll be ready.
For I am stronger, wiser, more grateful, and more resilient now.
Not in spite of what I’ve been through, but because of it.
So Mom, I hear your message loud and clear.
It’s time to start living again.
It’s time for new life.
