It’s almost here. Mother’s day, next weekend, May 9th. One week away. A day I never imagined that I would dread.

We all experience loss in our lives. It is simply an inevitable part of our human experience, part of life that we must deal with. No choice but to accept and move forward. But some losses carry a weight heavier than words can rightly describe.

January 14, 2021, Joanne Helen O’Neil McLarney left this world. Her time had come. Only 71 years old. Mom had suffered some challenging medical issues during her earthly tenure. Anyone who truly knew her would agree that her resilience and strength was unwavering. Mom was always concerned about her family. She would want us to be happy, remembering her with love and laughter.

Until I lost my mother, feelings of emptiness had never felt so raw and real. Although we are comforted knowing that she’s no longer in pain, the void is palpable. I find myself dreading the “firsts” without her. The first Mother’s day without her will be the hardest yet.

We are reminded to love and cherish our families, particularly our moms, while we have each other. Tomorrow is not promised, as we know. If we’re lucky, we have a wealth of memories to reflect upon.

I carry my mother’s memory in my heart. Her voice, her embrace, her smile, her wisdom, her love cannot be replaced or duplicated. But it can be memorialized and honored.

As time surges forward and forces us to move on, I hope to carry myself with half as much dignity as she did. We had a combative relationship. We challenged each other. We angered each other. But somehow, we understood each other as no one else could.

This mother’s day, I urge those of you who are lucky enough to still have your mom, to spoil them. Not necessarily with gifts, but with your time. Spend the whole day with her. Enjoy a meal, share stories, laugh. Be present in her life. That’s what any mom really wants. We can buy ourselves flowers and perfume. But we cannot buy time.