March 13, 2026, will mark an entire year without her. Next month, exactly one year to the date of her passing, will be another birthday of hers where her absence is felt. All of the "firsts" that I had to experience came so quickly: her birthday (as aforementioned), Mother's Day, etc., I couldn't catch my breath. At Mama's private burial, I spoke of two poems that were extremely fitting for that time: No winter without a spring and beyond the dark horizon, our hearts will once more sing...for those who leave us for a while have only gone away, out of a restless, careworn world into a brighter day. (Helen Steiner Rice)

Warm summer sun, shine kindly here, warm southern wind, blow softly here. Green sod above, lie light, lie light. Good night Dearheart. Good night, good night. (Walt Whitman)

I still don't know what to do without her. I miss Mama to no end. She was my world. My "Honey Bunches of O." My "Sweetie Pie," my "Suga' dumplin'." Every person who met Mama instantly loved her. I'm not just saying that. They really did. Even to the point of calling her "Mom." I was never happy about that, especially with those I didn't like and they didn't like me, because, as I used to say, "You're my mother. Not theirs." I wasn't kidding. She would explain why it was OK for them to do so. I would "give in" but not entirely. My mother's heart was EXTREMELY BIG, so forgiving and loving. She would call those who rarely called her. Prayed for everyone and "...prayed on them..." meaning for their hearts to change, to seek after Christ or give their hearts to Him. Whatever was needed. I found her prayer journals and calendars, filled with prayers. She had so many birthday reminders. Mama would call to sing to those listed, yet it was barely reciprocated. I asked her to stop but she continued because she said she did it out of love and respect.

If you really knew Mama and spent time with her, you would feel her absence as well, therefore I can say I'm sorry for your loss also. My mother was a beautiful person, inside and out. I pray, that when my time on this pathetic earth is over, the Good LORD will find me worthy to be with Him and then I can be reunited with her, my sister and grandmother. I can't wait.