My Mother Left Her Mark on Everything She Touched Before She Died

My mother left her mark on everything she touched before she died.

She’s been gone for almost a decade.

Early onset Alzheimer’s disease took her from me.

But I still find signs of my mother everywhere I look.

My mother left her mark on everything she touched before she died.

I still find her handwriting on post-it notes in her old books.

I still find her name written in crayon inside an old table drawer.

And I still find my mother’s face in old photos and home videos.

I still find her favorites like Elton John, the Beatles, Elvis, George Jones, the Judds, and the Jackson 5 in my musical repertoire.

I still find her influence in my taste in fashion, film, literature, and music.

And I still find my mother’s childhood, college, and family stories in my mind.

Because my mother left her mark on everything she touched before she died.

I still find her fears and sadness in my own anxiety and depression.

I still find her philosophy and beliefs in my faith and worldview.

And I still find my mother’s kindness and patience in my brother.

I still find signs of my mother everywhere I look.

I still find her talents and sense of humor in my daughters.

And I still find her likeness in my own face in the mirror.

Because my mother left her mark on everything she touched before she died.

A version of this post was originally published January 4, 2022.