A letter to Mom

Hi Mom,
I miss you already! I went back to work today. Everyone wanted to know what happened so I told the story several times. I can tell it now without getting too emotional.
It doesn't seem real that you are gone.
LuAnn gave me a picture of you. I put it in a frame and I have it sitting on my desk. It gives me comfort. You have that special smile on your face. The way you always smiled when someone pointed a camera at you. Like the Mona Lisa, it's hard to guess what you might be thinking. You could be thinking about how you hated to get your picture taken or how happy you are at the moment that it was taken. It is the same smile you used to tell a joke, give encouragement or give me a hard time. It is the same smile you used to show affection and anger. It is your own unique and special smile.
When I look at the picture, I can almost hear your voice. I remember your laugh, I remember you telling me that you are proud of me, I remember you telling me, "It'll all work out." I remember you saying, "I love you."
I love you too, Momma!
I am so thankful to have had an opportunity to bring you joy. I am thankful for the joy that you brought to me. I am thankful to LuAnn for giving me a picture that showed your wonderful personality in that silly, secret smile.