Mom’s Journal – My Family Reflections:

This journal contains all the things you will not hear at funerals and family gatherings that are sugar-coated, idealized accounts—it is my personal stories, warts, and all that you will relate to, perhaps even pass on to your own family. You can tell them about my parents, me as a baby and young adult, your dad and me, and the notes I made about you growing up.

I always knew that the toughest part of loving you would one day be having to leave you. Until then, my plan has always been to give you advice and subtle reminders.

You will be surprised that I secretly documented interesting things you did or said at certain times growing up. My journal is the snapshot to say I care, I noticed, and the one thing I never said enough: “I love you.” I know you like to look at pictures and videos of our family. This is my effort to share what was happening in the pictures my family took.