Some memories are tucked away in boxes.

Others are tucked away in our hearts.

My mother had a beautiful way of making people feel special. For every birthday, holiday, celebration, or special occasion, she would take the time to hand paint cards for the people she loved.

They weren’t just cards.

They were pieces of her.

Each brushstroke, each word, each little detail carried her love. She could have easily bought a card from a store, but that wasn’t Mom. She wanted the people she loved to know that they were worth her time, her creativity, and her thoughtfulness.

Mom passed away in December, 2022, with my son (her grandson) and my Dad at her side. And somehow, she still finds ways to speak to my heart.

I still hear her words.

I still carry her wisdom.

I still think about the lessons she taught me, sometimes in the simplest moments.

And when I look back at those beautiful cards she created with her own hands, I realize she was leaving behind more than memories. She was leaving pieces of her love for us to hold onto.

That’s the beautiful thing about a mother’s love.

It doesn’t end when she leaves this earth.

It becomes part of who you are.

Mom may no longer be here to hand me one of her beautiful cards, but the words she gave me, the wisdom she shared, and the love she poured into our family are still being carried forward.

And Mom…

I hope you know that every beautiful thing you taught me is still blooming in my heart. ❤️

Forever your daughter.