seventeen

My parents and three eldest siblings

Dear Mama,
We had to say goodbye to you seventeen years ago today. Seventeen years. More than half my life.

I miss you. That doesn't seem to fade much over the years. Sometimes it catches me off guard and whisks my breath away. Other times I pour a cup of tea and imagine you there with me. In those moments I imagine us chatting over steaming cups and I can almost hear your laugh. I type this with my eyes closed, picturing you... your eyes, your smile.

I see more of you in me now. I look at photos and realize as I age (mature) I look more like you each year and I am so thankful. More than the eyes and the shape of our mouths, I realize I'm learning to love as you did, trust the Lord as you did. I want your laugh lines, your knowledge of grace.

I miss you. I miss you but we're doing alright. More than alright, really. We are oh-so blessed. Even here on this messy side of grace we are knee-deep in myriad blessings.

Until our next cup of tea...

All my love,
your baby girl