Six months
Six months later, Happy birthday and the worst anniversary ever to celebrate. Six months of insanity and confusion have ensued. You have missed mom's 70th birthday that you were so excited to plan and both your sons' birthdays. You have missed your 49th wedding anniversary. You have missed three of your grandkids' birthdays and soon the other three. You have missed watching Chloe grow in motherhood through pregnancy. You missed job acceptances, changes, and so many challenging conversations you were needed for with all the solicited and unsolicited advice. Your absence has caused confusion, pain, sadness, strange relief, joy, fear, and all emotions. Your grandkids have changed so much in six months, more than any other year—height, weight, courage, education, intellect, family, athlete, and faith. Relationships are challenged, strengthened, bonded, divided, paralyzed, and still in limbo in the wake of your death. The pool has been crazy, the weather i...