Once, when I was very small, you lifted me up and placed me on the kitchen counter.  You were smiling and talking to me, I don’t remember what you said, but I remember the feeling.  The feeling of being loved.

Once, when I broke my toe and had to stay home from school, you helped me do my school work.  I remember laughing with you because you made the work fun.

Once, when I was telling you that I liked a boy, you told me about how you met dad.  It was on a blind date.  You accompanied your sister on her date and her date brought his cousin.  Your sister didn’t marry that boy, but you met dad that day.  You went to an amusement park and even went through the tunnel of love with him.  For years, daddy would joke and tell me that he met you on a blind date and that he didn’t put his glasses on until after he married you.  Bump Bump.

Once, when I had a child, I put my baby into your arms and I saw the happiness that that brought you.  You crocheted endless blankets for her before she was even born.  The first one I brought her home in, others covered her when she slept at night, and still others she played with when she put her dolls in her toy carriage.

Once, when I came to visit you, we went to an overstock store and I bought a huge carpet.  It was a great price and you helped me carry it to the car.  We laughed as we tried to handle the bulky carpet, but somehow, we did it together.

There are so many memories that we used to share.  Although they have left you, I still hold them very dear.  Sometimes, these days, when I look in the mirror, I see you.  We have a connection that cannot be broken, not even dementia can take you away from me.  Our connection is beyond memories, it is our essence, it is who we are.  I am a continuation of you and you are where I came from.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!  I love you!

http://www.theresadodaro.com   Author of The Tin Box Trilogy