Losing a loved one is never easy, and for much of my life, I felt a deep sense of loss after my mother passed away. She was only here for a short time, and as a child, an adult, a young mother, and now a grandmother, I spent many years feeling the weight of her absence. I often thought about how brief her life was and how much I missed her.
You see, Halloween was my mother’s birthday. For a long time, I couldn't fully enjoy the holiday. It was a reminder of the sadness I carried, but over time, I began to think about what she would truly want for me. As a mother of five, I’ve seen my own hopes and dreams reflected in my children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. And I wonder, did my mother feel the same way about me?
It took years of healing, but eventually, I came to believe that my mother was still with me, not just in memory, but as a guiding presence—one of my angels. She encourages me to keep moving forward, to never be discouraged, and to remember that life has a plan, even if I don’t always understand it.
Through this journey of grief and reflection, I realized that I had to choose happiness. Life is too short to choose anything else. Now, every Halloween, I host a big party with family and friends. We laugh, share stories, and celebrate not only the holiday but the legacy of a woman who, at a young age, gave birth to me and was here for only a short time.
Though my mother’s life was brief, her impact on me was profound, and for that, I am so grateful. Halloween has transformed from a day of sorrow into a celebration of life, family, and the love that never truly leaves us.
