Dear Momma,

Happy Birthday! You would have been forty-something this week, still in the prime of life. Unfortunately, it has now been a year-and-a-half since I last saw you. I wish you could still be here, but I am at peace with your passing. I can see how God has used our situation to bring beauty to this world.

The thing that has been on my mind recently has been that you never met Michael. I met him about eight months after you passed. Two of the most important people in my life just narrowly missed meeting each other. I know you would love him and tell me he’s wonderful. I know you would tell me he’s the kind of man you always hoped I would meet.

There are so many things I’d like to tell you. I would like to tell you that you were right about that one thing. If you were in front of me and I told you that, I know exactly what your response would be. You would laugh and say you knew I would tell you that some day. I wish I could tell you about the jobs I’ve had since you left. I wish you could come to my graduation in May. I wish I could have called you when I was in that accident. I wish I could send you more funny pins on Pinterest. There’s something about to happen in my life that I wish I could talk to you about. You would be so happy and I would probably be talking to you about it every day. I can’t though. I wish I could put a wreath on your door instead of your grave. But, I’m coming to terms with all that.

So many people have stepped up in my life. Some are your friends. Some are your family. Some you barely knew. Some you didn’t know at all. These people have been the hands and feet of Jesus in my life, the same way you always were.

Macie and I are doing well. We are happy and living lives I think you would be proud of. Right before you went to be with Jesus, you told Macie and me not to fight. You told us to be there for each other and to take care of each other. I am pleased to report that we are closer than ever and our fights are so humorously respectful that people have actually said they enjoy watching us fight because it makes them laugh.

Above all, Momma, I am happy with my life. It isn’t easy, but I am content. Things are panning out better than I thought they would at this point. You taught me well and prepared me for this time. I love you more.

Love,

Maddie

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