Thanks, Dad!

It's been two weeks since my mother passed away and  when I talk to my Dad (almost daily now), I can hear in his voice the finality of the situation. I know he misses Mom and I can't imagine what it feels like to wake up every morning in the home you shared with your love for over three decades and not see them. But then I realize he does see her. He sees her in all of the quirky knickknacks one can find at every turn or in every drawer of their four story home. You can't miss how much she enjoyed antique china or her beautiful collection of glass vases and fruit bowls. Then there is her turtle collection. Anyone who thinks they love turtles had not met my Mother.

My Dad has been and continues to be a source of strength during this time and someone I can talk to and still feel close to my Mom. I witnessed the bond they shared and I can't remember a time when they didn't present a united front. That was probably one of their favorite pet phrases as parents when explaining why we wouldn't be able to divide and conquer them with our asinine requests as teenagers. They always stood together come what may and even in my Mother's death, his memory serves us well in remembering some of the best parts of her. I miss my Mom terribly but I miss my Mom with my Dad most.