Today is April 16, 2024, and it is my Mother's Birthday. Over the last 4 years after my mom's untimely death, I've gone through a number of changes including receiving years of therapy. But the one thing I've continued doing since I was a kid, was to celebrate our birthdays in big ways. My mother doted on me as my only consistent parent, and I looked up to her as my SHE-ro. As an only child of a divorced parent, I was used to birthday parties and gifts. The older I got the more I received. But as an adult, I like taking myself on solo trips and just enjoy... being! Usually for my mom's birthday, I would celebrate with her at a restaurant, movie and shopping. That was our thing. Even after her death, I would continue doing that on her day, however this year I felt my mother telling me I could rest. Of course, I took the day off to spend time at the cemetery, but I didn't go and get a massage or majorly shop. Also, I remembered I had food at home (in my mom&#
