Spring is a magical time of year when the earth comes alive with bursts of color. Each day I notice something new that delights my senses- a tiny purple flower here, a warm breeze there. I feel hopeful and ready to let go of winter’s heaviness and things that have overstayed their welcome.

This season also brought with it a profound loss. My mom died on March 27th, after celebrating her 92nd birthday a few weeks earlier. It was another kind of letting go, as I said my goodbyes to her. Mom’s passing has made me reflect on the wonderful mom, friend, and person she has been in my life. What a positive force she was! Even though she experienced a significant cognitive decline over these past eight years because of vascular dementia, she continued to have a zest for life and love for people and music. With a compromised sense of the past and future, she lived in the present and modeled mindfulness. When I visited with her, I’d enter her world- living in and savoring each moment.

This has been a tough year for many of you. If you have experienced loss and are working through grief and letting go, be gentle with yourself. My heart goes out to you.