Remembering

Yoga and meditation are such a key part of my life. I am often very grateful that I have these tools in my life as they have helped me cope the past couple of years, both dealing with the stressors of Covid and with the loss of my mother.

Two years ago at Lake Como with David and unbeknownst to me at the time, Mom was only going to be in this life for a little over a week after we returned home. Fortunately, I was able to get to Atlanta to be with her for a few days before she passed. But being here and getting ready to return home brings back all of those memories. As some of you have shared with me, nothing compares to mother loss, no matter what your relationship was like with her.

Ours was tumultuous for most of my life. I loved her dearly and I know she loved me, but we often butted heads like two billy goats. Being the eldest with three brothers, I was often called Bossy because of my tendency to “guide” them even when they didn’t want to be. But everyone has someone they are accountable to, and Mom was the boss of me, as well as my role model even though I would never have admitted it at the time. Let’s just say she had her work cut out for her when I was a teenager.

She would often tell me in her Southern drawl, “you’re gonna miss me when I’m dead and gone.” I would roll my eyes and reply “yeah, mom, I know” yet I would be thinking she was trying to manipulate me. She probably was.

But it doesn’t matter. Not a day has gone by since October 18, 2019 when I don’t think about that woman who was often difficult, stubborn, funny, sharp-witted, intuitive and an often fierce lioness with her brood. And she was right… I do miss her.

And I am very grateful to have yoga and meditation to help get through these tough times. I am also deeply grateful to my family, friends and all of the yogis in my life. 🙏🏻❤️