Mother’s Day…I have written many things about my mother and more importantly I tell my mother exactly how I feel about her almost everyday (don’t worry it’s all good).   So I’m pretty sure it’s ok that I take a different approach to this Mother’s Day.  Sharing my heartache for others, and hoping this honors them keeping their loved ones in the spotlight to never be forgotten.

I have had a very heavy heart since the beginning of this year;  It started out with one of our beloved Taekwondo families 19 year old daughter, Sarah, who went missing on New Year’s eve.  The next 9 days were spent searching and pleading for her return.  Our community came to the call and went door to door, day after day helping search for her;

they and we were behind the family holding them up, knowing we would want the same.  Every parent’s worst nightmare;  On the 9^th day a helicopter happening by a crevice in the Angeles Crest Forest got a glimpse of a car.  It wasn’t long before the heartbreaking information was all over the news.  Sarah had gone off the side of very windy mountain road early on the morning of New Year’s Day.   It wasn’t an unfamiliar place, exactly the opposite an area she knew well as she and her sisters grew up in the mountains where her dad, Mike, worked, at the Bear Divide Hot Shots.  I remember Sarah as a hard working, talented student who was always happy and smiling and loved her friends at Taekwondo.  I think my favorite memories are from Lock-In’s (A Halloween tradition at the studio, an all night party) and the infamous pillow fights she loved so.  When you watch a child grow up they tend to leave a very big impression on your heart.  Sarah Forever…

Thinking about Laura, Sarah’s mom, this Mother’s Day; how do you find a balance between enjoying your Mother’s Day with your three other daughter’s and all your grandchildren and the hole that has been left by the unnatural passing of your youngest child.  If I had a magic wand I would wave it and make this all better.  Aside from that unrealistic wish, I don’t think anything can help particularly on this first Mother’s Day since the accident.

I send all the love in the world to Laura and all of the mother’s dealing with this exact loss on this Mother’s Day!  The mother’s of Sandy Hook Elementary, The mom of the little 6 year old from the Boston Marathon bombing to name a few others.

From this mom to all of you, I send you the strength to celebrate your child’s life this Mother’s Day! (((HUGS)))