I posted this yesterday on social media:
Today marks a decade without her.
In some ways it feels like yesterday, I can still remember walking down the hall alone, in that Mexican hospital, knowing it was the very last time I’d ever see her. In other ways it feels like it happened a lifetime ago.
Her life started over on her 45th birthday where she left an unhappy place and moved to her most favorite place, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Over the next almost 20 years she created a new and improved life for herself. She learned a new language, became a Mexican citizen, saved numerous cats, bought land and designed her own home and beautifully landscaped yard. Workers at the house would marvel at the work she insisted on doing herself. But that wasn’t enough, in 1999 she decided to open her very own boutique, Caprichoso, to first feature her hand painted clothing and household items, then to go on to carry two popular Mexican clothing brands. She loved her customers. She'd pick out outfits, accessorize them and keep the husbands occupied with shots and insider tips on PV. Her customers left her store feeling happy and fabulous. She had an magical aura around her. People were drawn to her. She made her store successful and it was never the same after she was gone.
She was beautiful, always stylish and put together. Christmas morning didn’t start until mom had on her makeup on. She was fearless and independent. She taught me how to balance my checkbook, wire a lamp, do my own taxes, drive a stick shift, hammered into my brain that credit cards were bad, and to never have to rely on a man for anything. She was a ‘fun’ mom, the neighborhood boys taught her to skateboard. She was very liberal with the frivolous things, like makeup, clothing, pierced ears and music. Tattoos came later and they didn’t bother her one bit. She'd introduce me then say 'and these are her tattoos!' and go on to explain them. She was more strict with the important things, like chores, homework and dating. She loved animals, we always had cats, a dog and even a pet pig! See...fun mom!
On October 7th, 2010 the world lost the most amazing, beautiful, loving, giving, and joyful 64 year old woman: my mom. Life isn’t fair.