My first Mother’s Day without my mom is far more difficult than I imagined. Having just returned from California after her memorial service, my heart is still tender from the beautiful tributes, stories, and loving words shared by those who gathered to celebrate her life. Listening to person after person speak about Mom reminded me of something I have always known—she was deeply loved. Many were surprised to learn about her extraordinary gift for oil painting. Mom rarely drew attention to her...

It’s been exactly one month since Mom passed away. Yesterday felt especially heavy. I mailed the request for her death certificate so I can remove her name from my bank account—a simple task, made anything but simple. As I navigated the maze of bureaucratic red tape, I kept hearing the same refrain: “I’m sorry, I can’t help you.” By the fifth call, I reached the county office in Martinez, California—vital statistics. The representative began, “I’m so sorry . . . ” I snapped. “What? You’re...

Yesterday, I had a colonoscopy—definitely not my favorite procedure. Somewhere in the middle of it, my heart rate dropped so low that the medical team had to intervene with medication. I eventually stabilized, but I slept through the entire ordeal, blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding around me. It’s funny how life works that way sometimes—we miss the very moments that could have frightened us most. This Sunday, April 12th, I will celebrate 30 years as a breast cancer survivor. When I...