Mother’s Day Without Her, But Always With Her
Mother’s Day is one of the hardest days of the year for me.
It’s a day that once meant celebration, laughter, and gratitude. A day filled with hugs, memories, and the simple comfort of being with my mom, Sharon—my best friend. But since losing her to Parkinson’s disease, it has become something more complex. A mix of love and loss, gratitude and grief.
Parkinson’s may have taken her from me, but it will never take what she gave me.
Today, I choose to celebrate her life.
I celebrate her strength—how she faced 18 years of Parkinson’s with courage, grace, and resilience. I celebrate her spirit—how she continued to bring light into every room, even on the darkest days. And I celebrate her fight—not just against a disease, but for every moment, every memory, every piece of joy she could still hold onto.
She wasn’t just my mother. She was my anchor, my inspiration, and my constant source of love. The lessons she taught me, the kindness she showed, and the strength she carried are now a part of who I am every single day.
Mother’s Day will never look the same. And the truth is, it isn’t supposed to.
Grief doesn’t disappear—it evolves. It becomes a quiet presence, especially on days like today. But alongside that grief is something powerful: purpose.
Because of her, I advocate.
Because of her, I speak out.
Because of her, I will never stop fighting for a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Today, I honor her not just in memory, but in action.
To anyone else feeling this loss today—you are not alone. We carry our mothers with us in everything we do, in every step forward, in every act of love.
And to my mom—
Happy Mother’s Day.
Your life, your love, and your legacy continue to guide me. Always.
For Sharon. Always.
__________________________________________
TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure. http://www.togetherforsharon.com