Three Years In

Hi Michael,
   Mom here. Three years in, and it's still so hard living with this experience of a mother losing a child. No doubt there have been difficult circumstances in previous lives as well, but still, this is a tough one. I miss you so much.

   How are you doing? Are you considering coming back soon or do you need more time? I have no idea what the space between lives looks like. Maybe you'll still be there when I return.

   Thank you for continuing to stay close and helping me see the signs. The need to know you are near is still strong. I know you were watching earlier this week while I played some of your favourite music, loudly. A playlist compiled by your friends, largely made up of songs I had not heard before your death. I felt deeply connected to you while listening to the lyrics, which had spoken to you, and were now speaking to me. And once my tears had given way to dancing, I could see you smiling, and dancing too.
Love Mom ♥ 

Finished Painting

A couple of summers ago, Michael asked if he could borrow my paints and a blank canvas.  That afternoon, he and Kelly set up the easel in the backyard adding colour to that empty canvas together.  As I contemplate this 18x14 artwork, my eyes travel along the perimeter from the green tree to a pink rose and around to the various geometric shapes done in primary colours.  Over to a blue flower, and a blueberry perhaps? Located in the centre of the painting is a fiery red, yellow and orange form.  Possibly flower petals or flames.  Half of the canvas still remains white.  I kept waiting for them to complete this unfinished work.  Today I finally understand that it is finished.  A creative and visual representation of their time here.  Not lives cut short, unfinished.  Rather, lives experienced as they needed to be.  Then moving on.