Approaching...

I remember my friend said she hoped Daniel wouldn't die on
her birthday. He didn't. He died on my cousin's wife's
birthday and the birthday that belonged to one of Daniel's
favorite nurses. Groundhog Day is the day he breathed his last.
That silly day when grown men try to decipher whether
or not a little furry creature sees his shadow.
It's one of those days when you don't know what to do.... Not exactly
a card-sending day like Valentine's or Christmas.

Twelve years ago Daniel left our lives by dying. Twelve years later
I still feel my stomach knot as Groundhog day approaches...

Through his short life of four years and prolonged death of over a
week, I have learned so much. I've learned life is short and each
moment counts and one minute might be all I get. I've learned
to be real, to not waste time trying to get grouchy people to
like me, and to hold those I love closely. I've learned that
a mother never ever forgets her child or the day he was born or
the day he died.

You know what? I would rather be blissful and ignorant than to
have to be so wise.

Daniel in Heaven, I miss you. I miss what you would have brought
to my life as you played and grew and loved me.

Every day.