in honor of my mother's birthday

my mother died on june 4, 2008. but that is not the day i choose to honor her.

my mother was born on august 26, 1943. and that is the hardest day of the year for me now.

just this past school year, my daughter was given this assignment -
"i loved my friend:
he went away from me.
there's nothing more to say.
soft as it began -
i loved my friend.
langston hughes
have you or anyone special to you, gone away? Who left? Where did that someone go? why
did you, or she, or he leave? write a composition telling about it"

this is what she wrote -
"Gran, my grandmother, was a very nice lady. She had two cats their names were BooBoo and Lily. She lived with my Uncle Chris. Gran was funny too, she was funny because when she ran out of food she would say "Uncle Chris did you eat everything?" It would make me laugh. But sadly she died. She got very sick. Gran was 60 something. She fainted in the bathroom. Mom called the hospital. When the hospital people came, my brothers, my mom and I had to wait in Gran's room. I was waiting, wondering and hoping that she would be alright. Eventually, Gran died, but she is happier now because she is with Pop, my granddad. Gran and Pop are watching me from heaven. I love you, Gran!"

and that is why i prefer to honor my mother's life, not her death.