​Losing my mom meant losing a part of me. I miss this part of me often

I can’t exactly pinpoint it but I know without her, something is missing in me

I’ve come to realize that every person in our life brings out or creates or partners up with a part of us that would otherwise not be present without them

I no longer believe life is meant to be lived independently or that we are all who we are just because of our own will

We are connected to all we encounter and if we are lucky enough to form bonds with people we need to also consider what would be made of us without this person

This became a reality for me when I lost my mom

The tragedy forced me to see that the role people play in my life is meaningful which also must mean the role I play in others life means something too

When a part of you dies with someone, you might seek it elsewhere, but you’ll never find it because that connection was unique

I’ll always long for the bond I had with my mom but I also find beauty in knowing it was so uniquely special to us that it is truly irreplaceable

I hope this inspires you to take inventory on your relationships and identify the incredible value every person brings to your life or brings out in you

We are not just who we are to ourselves but we are also who others experience us as and how we experience others

I would never wish this tragedy on anyone but I hope in sharing my personal reflections it may inspire some introspection for you from a heart wrenching learned lesson through me