You visited me while I was sleeping.
You held my hand
as we drifted among the stars
whispering ”come with me mom,
I’ll show you where I’m living now.”

Laughing together we floated
in and out of places
that were snatched from me
as soon as I awoke.

Remembering that
I had visited somewhere
beautiful with you
and you were happy.

~ Author Unknown
“Late Last Night” painting by Johnathan Harris

Because of you I appreciate the sunset more than before.

Because of you I stop to look up at the moon and wish upon a star.

Because of you I look forward to hearing the birds

Singing in the morning, and am thankful for their beautiful songs.

Because of you I am more understanding of others and accept people for who they are.

Because of you material things do not matter.

Because of you the touch of someone you love is more precious than any gift you can receive.

Because of you I have a broken heart but I thank God for sending you to me.

For there is no stronger love than I hold for you.
Until we meet again.

~ J. Melia

I remember this day. You took me to brunch with my granddaughter and took this photo. I hope one day she looks at these and can see

how much I loved you both. I’ll remember these days all my life.

When my son was a little boy my Dad took him to the park and gave him 2 new quarters. My son met some new friends and thought nothing to give the quarters to them. My dad loved to tell that story. Since then I put two quarters on his stone at the church on my way home from work. One weekend after I first started to do

it I went to the supermarket. I was having a rough emotional day missing him. As I looked down there were 2 new quarters sitting together at the credit card swipe. Thank you for my sign to remind me you are always with me.

Photos drawn by Billy Dehmer

My son was born with this incredible ability to draw. I noticed it at 3 years of age. We find our balance in life to calm the storms inside our head. Let people be who they need to be. This is their peace.

For the past 14 years my son and I went to see the Dave Matthew’s band every time they came to New York.  It was our thing. The last concert we went to was in June 2015. He said  “mom I will always go with you and you will never be alone. I didnt know that concert would be our last one. I will always treasure all those memories. I tuck them deep in my heart. I couldn’t bring myself to go in 2016 after I lost him. But I did last year. Although it was painful to be there without him, I know he would want me to go. I cant help to think he is there holding my hand and saying I hope they play #41 for you Mom..

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton