07/24/2022
One of my favorite recent trips was to West Palm Beach, FL. I took my first solo vacation to Florida to celebrate my Mom’s life and my birthday. Mom passed on 3/3, my birthday was 3/14. My last “real” conversation with my Mom was the afternoon of 3/2, when I told her I was coming up to the Vineyard in a few days to celebrate my birthday with her. She was excited to celebrate with me, and even joked that she didn’t want to die on my birthday. I replied sarcastically “well good I don’t want you to die on my birthday either, try not to do that.” Tragically, she passed the next day. But I was blessed that I was able to tell her I loved her, hold her hand, hug and kiss her, and thank her for everything she did for me, before she transitioned. We buried her on 3/8, my birthday on the 14th sucked just like I knew it would! Birthdays and holidays (esp Christmas) were EVERYTHING to Jo Jo! She loved decorating and celebrating anything and everything! I ”channeled” Jo Jo’s spirit throughout my road trip across Florida. My favorite times were sharing peaceful sunrises with her spirit, reading passages from her daily meditations with God book. I miss her every single minute of every day! But as importantly, I was incredibly blessed not only to be her daughter, but to be able to care for her and be with her as she peacefully transitioned to heaven. Death is never easy, even when it is somewhat expected. Saying goodbye to my Mom is undoubtedly the hardest thing I’ve ever done, yet I do find peace that she is no longer suffering and she’s reunited with Pop Pop, my Dad and her parents and siblings. Her birthday 8/14 is just a few weeks away. I plan to peacefully celebrate her life with our family and friends! Nothing is the same without Jo Jo, but celebrating her life and all that she meant to us is more important than dwelling on her absence!