When I opened my phone to do the crossword this morning, a photo memory appeared from last year on this day. It was one of the first days that Mom couldn’t rise from bed. I arrived to visit her and she was in a deep sleep. I curled up on the bed with her and simply held her. There was no trip to get ice cream that day. There was no trip to walk in the park. We laid there together, on her bed, her asleep and me crying quietly. It’s been almost a year since she passed. I still find myself crying quietly.

And, next year on this day, there will be joyous photos in my feed. Two of my dearest friends got married today in a perfect ceremony. There they were, in their living room, with two parents and four friends as witnesses. One of the couple’s godmother performed the short, but oh so touching, ceremony.

I brought flowers for the table and mantel, and small bouquets for each (as well as champagne to celebrate the occasion). After the ceremony, we took a few pictures, then sat and talked as we sipped delicious, rich hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, and ate cookies. The love and support in the room heavily cloaked each of us. It was a day of remembrance, and a day for rejoicing.