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Dear Mom...



Hi Mom, it's me. Happy Mother's Day. I know it's been 8 years since we've seen each other but it doesn't seem that long. It still seems like you should be here, especially now that we live back in Seattle. I look over at where you lived on Capitol Hill from our view all the time and wish I could still come over and visit you. 
 

We were so excited about moving back to Seattle when we found this house but there was that one little ache in my heart knowing you were no longer here. And I miss you. I wish we could still hang out together again - go to lunch, go for coffee, join us at all our family gatherings. I know you would love our house here. When we have everyone over, it's so perfect and the good times really start to roll! So much laughter and happiness, silliness and fun. You know how we all are. You would love it. 


And, of course, the food we have is always so amazing. We all followed in your footsteps and became amazing cooks. The really big thing I wanted to tell you this year is that I'm a Grandma now, too! Nick and Sachiyo had a baby, a little angel named Hana. 
 

Nick loves being a Daddy. I'm sure that you are not surprised that he is great in his new role. He is one proud Papa. I think Hana is Daddy's little girl.


She is the happiest baby you would have ever known. She let's everybody hold her and is smiling and laughing all the time. She is pure joy to be around.


But they are so far away in Japan. You know how much Nick always loved Japan. Well, now he lives there. They came to visit in December and we are going to visit them next month.


It's a lot further away than traveling between Boise and Seattle like we always did. But they have a good life there and Nick is truly in his element. Remember when he brought kimonos back for all of us girls in the family?


That was the first time he went to Japan and there was no looking back after that. It's hard to see your kids take giant leaps like that because you know as a mom, we need to let our kids take their journeys in life, even if we know it's away from us. You already know how that feels. You had seven of us and we all went different directions, too. I think the hardest for you was when Rich went into the Army. It's never easy saying goodbye to your kids.


That is the hardest thing for me, too - saying goodbye to Nick every time we go back to our prospective countries. Most the time I can't even say it because I'm so choked up. But Lauren is close by so I am grateful for that. She still lives on Capitol Hill, can you believe it? She still lives in the same neighborhood as she did when she started college at Seattle U. I remember how happy I was because she could just walk over and visit you. You'd be so proud of her now. She kept working really hard all these years. This year, she finished her Master's degree and now works full time in a therapy clinic. She really loves her job, too. And I don't think I ever told you about her boyfriend but she's been together with Ari, going on five years already. You would ADORE Ari. He is your kind of guy. He's really cute and funny, very social and interested in all kinds of people, and he's very polite and respectful and really smart, too. You and Daddy would be so proud and happy for Lauren. The two of you always knew she was a special little girl growing up. And look at her now. You were right, as always.


We are so happy we're able to live close to them and can share lots of time together. Which leads me to my final thought. Remember Facebook? You use to love looking at it after you figured it out. 😉 I saw this Mother's Day quote on it that one of my friends posted that I knew you could relate to. I can relate to it, too. 

Every year my children ask me the same question. After thinking about it, I decided I'd give them my real answer:

What do I want for Mother's Day? I want you. I want you to keep coming around, I want you to bring your kids around, I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever. Tell me about your job, your worries, your kids, your fur babies. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me, I don't care. Hearing you laugh is music to me. I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how. Now, give me time to sit back and admire my work. Raid my refrigerator, help yourself, I really don't mind. In fact, I wouldn't want it any other way. I want you to spend your money making a better life for you and your family, I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Mother's Day, I say "nothing" because you've already been giving me my gift all year. I want you.


When you were alive, you didn't have to tell me because I already knew it. Yes, I already knew it.

I love you, Mom and I miss you.  Happy Mother's Day.


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