Today was a very hard day. We had Mom’s Visitation and Services. Everything was beautiful and understated – just like my mom. The Eastern Star Service was attended by 23 people, which is amazing. I got to see my cousins who drove in from Rockford and also Carol and Shawn, my college best friend and her husband, who drove in from Pekin just to give me a hug. Several people that we know sent flowers: Ian and Scot (Andy’s brothers) and their families, the Assessment Resource Center (my work), and Tracy and Tiffany (my stepsisters).
Saying goodbye to my mom is going to take a lot of time. The hardest part is that while I know Mom has passed, the reality has still not truly set in. I saw something that she would have found very funny yesterday and I reached for my phone to give her a call. I suppose I am doing as well as can be expected, but this is just maybe the hardest thing that I have ever done – facing each day without her. I am incredibly lucky though. I had a great relationship with my mom and I have an amazing support system in Andy, the kids, my family, and my friends. I know if I need it they will be there. That helps the pain just a little.