Heres a thing about the death of your mother, or anyone else you love: You cant anticipate how youll feel afterward. People will tell you a few may be close to right, none exactly right. – Mary Schmich

I couldnt have foreseen all the good things that have followed my mothers death. The renewed energy, the surprising sweetness of grief. The tenderness I feel for strangers on walkers. The deeper love I have for my siblings and friends. The desire to play the mandolin. The gift of a visitation. – Mary Schmich