After all the anxiety leading up to Mother’s Day, it ended up being a day that I will treasure. During the week before, I got a text from Jake’s best friend asking if he could drive to Iowa to see me for Mother’s Day weekend. As you can imagine, I began sobbing. He will never know the importance of this gesture. I know he wanted to step in to help me feel loved, but what he did was so much more than that. It’s kind of strange seeing Alex without Jake. They were always together, inseparable for 10 years. It feels like something is missing when I am with Alex, because something is missing. It’s Jake.

He met us out at our property while we were meeting with the builder, we went to lunch/dinner, Alex (and sweet girlfriend) stayed the night, we played games and laughed quite a bit, all while there was a small silent and suppressed heartache. It felt like neither of us needed to say anything, because we are on the same page. I am so grateful for that!

Alex and bailey left Sunday morning, and as I opened the door to leave for church, I found a box of flowers. I brought them in and tears filled my eyes as I realized Hannah successfully included Jake in Mother’s Day! Again, I hadn’t expected such a wonderful gesture…

We picked up Dewitt from the nursing home and headed to church. There I received so many hugs and “Happy Mother’s Day” greetings from other moms and from the young women. In the afternoon, friends came over for dinner, as well as the missionaries. We played games, visited… It was a full day, and I was surrounded by love. This is my facebook report…

“The love of others has allowed me to have a great Mother’s Day! My daughter succeeded to include Jake, my husband spent every minute by my side, I was surrounded by love at church, friends here at home and lots of support on facebook and texts. When something is missing in our lives, the Lord sends angels to care for us, and I know so many angels now! Thanks for being there for me!”

Jake, I have been surrounded by angels here on the Earth and by you from above. Mother’s Day was not the same without you, but I felt your presence throughout the entire day and I know you were here with me. Thank you for loving me and for watching out for me. I thought I had so much more time with you. I didn’t know that last year would be my last time to hear, “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. I love you.” The great blessing is that I did have so many years with you, that when I close my eyes I can still hear your voice. Thank you for remaining with me in spirit, because I don’t think I could do this without you.

I love you so much. Thanks for the great Mother’s Day XO