This year is my second for *firsts*. In 2021, my father died. Then 21 months later, in 2022, my mother died.
And so, that just means that I am experiencing once again those *firsts* without one or the other.
It's just my turn to suffer loss.
I am thankful for the loyalty and support of my nuclear family and special friends.
I am blessed to have had both of my parents for such a long time in my short life.... to get to know them as an adult as well as an *older* adult is indeed special.
In memory of my recently deceased mother, this year for Mother's Day I made a donation to Frontlineresponse.org This particular organization has a strong presence in my city/state well-known for attracting crowds for special sporting events and conventions.
To show my heart for someone I dont believe I have to have "walked a mile in her/his shoes" (moccasins*). I am willing to be judged by the standard of Holy Scripture and strive to be a good steward ("put my money where my mouth is.") Support for those in crisis pregnancy has long been dear to my heart and now I add support to the rescue of those ensnared in se*-trafficking.
In the past in memory of my father I made donations to topics dear to his heart: pro-life ministries (GRTL) and private practice/education of medicine/surgery (AAPS & GA Vascular Foundation)
PS - Red Tulips on Moma's yet-to-be-marked grave are representative of her battle with Parkinson's.
PPS Family group photo taken 4/21/13 - ten years ago ... on my 55th birthday celebrated after church with dinner at the Canoe restaurant in Vinings, GA on the banks of the Chattahoochee River where I grew up.
* reference to popular poem by M Lathrap
