Mother's Day 2016

I woke up this morning apprehensive, melancholy and reflective. I miss my mother every day. Losing her has been the hardest challenge I’ve ever faced. But as the morning unfolded I started to hear her. I heard her say “Jermal, I love you son and I miss you. I will always be with you. Don’t let my passing weigh you down.” I started to realize that I was not alone. My wife has lost her mother, other family members and friends have lost their mothers. There are people all over the world trying to live through this immeasurable pain and honor their loved ones by living, loving and laughing as loud and as strong as we did when they were here with us. So instead of struggling through the misery of missing her, I will embrace the joys and blessings I had while she was here with me. That’s what she would tell me to do.

Today is Mother’s Day. I was blessed to have Bettie Quinn in my life; she was, is and always will be the wind that makes me soar. In the moments when I miss her the most, when my tears well and when my heart sinks; I will remember her smile, her laugh, the smell of her cooking, the warmth of her hug and the sound of her voice. Happy Mother’s Day! I love you!