Rest now, Mom. You are loved.

Mom, I finally know what to say.

I remember the times you took the time to teach me the finer points of life that many people never learn. I didn’t always make it easy for you. We both walked difficult paths, and finding the right balance between ego and heart did not come easily for either of us.

We were both hard-headed and big-hearted, and that can be a dangerous combination when pain and confusion take over. Still, I do not blame you. I praise you for teaching me love and empathy first, then teaching me how to be strong.

You taught me that it is our responsibility to keep learning, to better ourselves throughout this life and to help others find their own way. For most of my life, you told me that I needed to learn when to walk away in silence. Of course, my stubborn butt didn’t truly understand that lesson until the last couple of years, but it became some of the best advice you ever gave me.

You taught me to stand up for what is right and never back down from what truly matters. At the same time, you taught me that not every battle must be fought with words. Sometimes the greatest strength is knowing when to quietly walk away, carrying your dignity, peace and compassion with you.

Most importantly, you taught me that love is far more than what many people see on the surface. It goes deeper than the skin and even deeper than the heart. Real love reaches into the soul and becomes part of who we are.

Through everything, you taught me love, strength, empathy, deeply rooted compassion and manners. Even the difficult parts of our journey shaped me and helped lead me toward greater understanding and purpose in my life.

You lost your way at times, but I never stopped believing there was a good heart at your core. Life was not always gentle with you, and the world around you did not always understand the heart you carried.

I understand more now than I did then. I carry no blame in my heart. I carry gratitude for the lessons, strength and love you gave me.

Those lessons will remain a part of who I am, and I will carry the best of you forward for the rest of my life.

Rest now, Mom. You are loved. You are appreciated. I always saw the real you, even when the world around us became difficult and confused.

You will always be the angel who held my hand as we walked through that dark alley, teaching me that fear is often only an illusion and that we are stronger when we refuse to let it control us.

I will carry that strength, your love and your hand in mine wherever this life takes me. See you out there, second star to the right.