mothers and daughters

 

I am fooling only myself when I say my mother exists now only in the photograph
on my bulletin board or in the outline of my hand or in the armful of memories I
still hold tight. She lives on in everything I do. Her presence influenced who I
was, and her absence influences who I am. Our lives are shaped as much by those
who leave us as they are by those who stay. Loss is our legacy. Insight is our gift.
Memory is our guide.

~ Hope Edelman