I’ve gone through a lot lately. I fractured my ankle on February 7, and then my mom passed away two weeks later on February 25. My brothers and I moved our mom from her apartment to a long-term facility. She was becoming weaker and needed more help. And then, a month later, my mom contracted the Norovirus. She was very sick, but I thought she’d pull through. I saw her two days before she passed. She was eating and talking, and we watched a DVD movie together. But then I received the news that she had died. I still can’t believe she’s gone.

My beautiful mother, Judy Ann Karlen, was kind, loving, and always thought of other people. I hope to carry on her perseverance, gentleness, and courage.

I’ve learned a few things from my mom’s passing. The first lesson is that small acts of kindness are so appreciated. I hope to increase the beauty of my words. Why do I hold back so much? Words are so powerful! Simple words of comfort mean a lot to me, too. For example, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

The second lesson is that I can’t change people – only myself. After my mom died, I called the admissions director (at the long-term facility) to see if they had found my mom’s wheelchair. The lady did not acknowledge my mom’s death – no words, nothing. My feelings were hurt because the lady knew my mom. I also realized that I expected her to respond in a certain way.

The third lesson is the power of grounding. Grounding helps me connect with Mother Earth. I envision sending roots of energy down into the earth. Sometimes, I imagine my roots wrapping around a lodged tree root deep in the earth. Many times, my energy is spacey and floating without an anchor. I am like a tree with branches that reach up to the open sky and roots that find safety deep in the ground.

Grounding also helps to calm my emotions and keep me tethered to Mother Earth. I also need more mother energy right now.

Meditation also helps me calm my mind. I can experience a peaceful state and know that I am safe. I remember to breathe into my belly during meditation, nourishing the dantian and solar plexus. Meditation is magical—it helps me clear and clean my mind and bring me into the present moment.

A few days after my mom’s funeral (March 28), I felt a spirit lightly kiss my forehead during the night. It actually woke me up. At first, it startled me. Then I realized how loving the kiss felt.

I am still grieving – some days better than others. I miss my mom so much!


Pearls of Grace
By GG

The call arrived as the morning sun
filtered into my room

They said you were gone
with a casual voice like yesterday’s news

Confusion chased me in despair
A deep fog blurred my thoughts

It was supposed to be you and me against
the world,
a comfort only a mother can give

Beautiful, you are
my mother
My bridge to all things

The beads of time flash in memories
unseen to seen

With grief, I cross over to you
Your heavenly voice calling out to me

Touching the pearls of your grace
The invisible thread connects my forever love to you



Namaste.