Mom comes to visit. And then she leaves. Her departures don’t get any easier. I love her so very much. Can’t imagine my life without her.
There were a few years where unfortunately we were not as close. Our 10 times a day phone calls dwindled to a couple texts a week. She did nothing wrong. Neither did I. But I needed space. Because I hurt. I knew she was there for me and that she loved me. But I had so much I was trying to handle in my own life that had me hurting so very much, all I could manage was keeping my relationships with my own 3 boys as strong as possible. As much as I wanted our relationship to be as strong as it has been the rest of my life (aside from a couple questionable years as a teen), it just wasn’t happening. It was a season in life. I felt bad about it but I had nothing more to give.
Fast forward to sometime last year when I felt like I had more mental capacity again to nurture more relationships. I felt like I could give to one of the most important people again. We communicate more again. I count down the days til her visits again. I am eager to share exciting things with her again. I laugh with her again. I feel like me again. It feels so incredibly wonderful to feel like WE are back again.
Everyone has that one best friend. The one you can’t imagine doing life without. I’ve been blessed with some amazing friends throughout my life. But my one, my ‘go to’, my person, my best friend, has always been my mom. I’m thankful to have such a strong bond with her. I’m thankful that while I know her heart hurt too during that season of my life she didn’t take it personally. She did what a best friend does… is there for you are ready with a listening ear, shoulder to cry on, and has always been my biggest cheerleader.
Mom has been through the grieving process. She knows it’s a process. While my grieving was different than hers it’s still a tough road. She knew I loved her even if for a while I couldn’t show it as well as usual. She is my best friend. But she’s also just the best. Period. If you’ve been fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of knowing my mom you know this to be true.
Before she leaves to head home, she often jots a little message on a post-it note for us. Over the years, we will find post it notes in different places leaving one for each of us to find (Joey’s bathroom, my office, John’s iPad, etc) or just an I Love You for all of us. 
A couple years ago, the blue post it note below (from 2 1/2 years ago) is the one that made my heart feel so loved while also feeling so much hurt in those written words at the same time. Life was quite challenging for me for a few years. This post-it note was written during one of those extremely challenging times. She simply wrote, “I don’t want to leave you.”
It wasn’t just a note like, ‘hey I had a great time, I wish I didn’t have to go’ kind of goodbye. This was ‘life really sucks for you right now. I love you. I wish I could take the pain away from you. You’re broken and I wish I could put the pieces back together. You need me and I hate that I have to go.’ kind of goodbyes.
That note was filled with so much emotion. A lot was said in just a few words.
I am loved.
How do I know?
The post-it notes tell me so.
Relationships and friendships are what make this life worth living. I pray you all have someone worthy of your post-it notes. And I pray you have someone in your life who shows you love one sticky note at a time too. Cause you’re amazing. And you deserve it.
Sweetly,
Heather
Heather is the owner of Sweet Lemonade Photography and co-owner of Sweet Darling Weddings. Life gave her a bunch of lemons (you can read a little more here) and by keeping her focus on God, finding the positive in each day, and surrounding herself with supporting, loving and encouraging people she has turned those lemons into the sweetest lemonade. This blog has been created to share her heart, her adventures and find ways to bless others. You can contact her at heather@sweetlemonadelife.com.
