Everyone now knows and identifies my mom not only by her name but by the tiara and sash that was a must on her big day … her birthday. Through her story that I’ve shared for almost three years, people now know she had a strong faith and shared it with everyone she came into contact with. I lived it and saw it for myself–she planted the seed in my siblings and me at a young age.

We grew up in a strict Christian household. This year, her big day falls on a special day, a holy day, and it’s bittersweet. As our family gathers as we do every year on Easter to eat, hunt eggs, and most importantly celebrate the resurrection of Christ, there will still be a void. I won’t be buying a tiara and sash for my mom to wear on the big day. I won’t see her at the table eating with us and smiling as the kids hunt eggs in the front yard.

I’m starting to feel the last birthday, Mother’s Day, and the anniversary of my mom’s passing creeping up. I’m bracing for it. I try to keep busy, but my body feels it. I’ve thought about how to celebrate her on this special holy day. Our family will already be together for Easter, so we will celebrate mom and Christ on the same day. Yellow napkins and flowers to decorate the table. We will all write little notes to Heaven and tie them to a yellow heart balloon. The hardest part is letting go.

Mom, I hope you enjoy reading every little love note we send you when we release our balloons on your birthday …