Today (April 22, 2015) marks the fifth anniversary of my mother’s passing. But it’s not a sad day. Like Louisa, I have a firm belief in the hereafter. Like Christie Devon in Work, I too have seen “signs” that my mother is still very close to me (see previous post).
In those first weeks after my mother’s passing when I was too numb to cry I found Louisa. The one thing that broke through that wall of numbness was reading Louisa’s words in my mother’s copies of her books, personalized with her name plate.
There was Little Women with a copyright of 1911.
There was An Old-Fashioned Girl from the 1920’s with the most exquisite color plates.
There was Aunt Jo’s Scrap-bag, Volume 6 with my favorite of Louisa’s short stories, “The Dolls’ Journey from Minnesota to Maine.”
Now, five years later with many wonderful books read and much writing done, I think of my mother with heartfelt love and and a few tears, knowing that somehow her spirit guided me to Louisa, along with the beloved Friend that lives inside of me.
Happy anniversary, Mommy.
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Sending hugs as you think of your mom today. What a lovely photo of her!
A touching post and such a beautiful photo of your mom.
I always feel my own mom with me, but, most especially in April when the violets start blooming, Violet being her name.
I return to Little Woman in particular, all of LMA in general for comfort, inspiration, a constant friend – and enjoy your postings, even when I’m not commenting.
Peaceful thoughts coming you way.
What a lovely tribute to your mother, both this post and the previous one! And a reminder of the power of books to comfort the spirit. Jo would be pleased. 🙂
It took a very long time to fully understand just how Louisa figured into my grief journey. I did a ton of writing to find out and now I finally get it. Someday I will explain but it would take too long right now.
Now here’s the funny thing. I used to feel weird and guilty that I wasn’t sad in the traditional way after my mom died because (in part), Louisa’s writing filled a gaping hole; it made me happy. The other night my husband and I were watching “7th Heaven” and it was the episode just after Annie lost her father to Alzheimer’s and in her grief, she was happy too! When she explained why, I started bawling because it was such a relief to finally hear someone else say it! Louisa is a dear friend to have on a grief journey, that’s for sure.