A Story of Love, Loss, and Legacy

Then she said: “I miss my mother on New Year’s Eve the most.”

My mother is my best friend, my confidant, and the person I turn to when life feels heavy. Her love is unconditional, and I love her unconditionally in return. We talk every day because while my schedule doesn’t allow much time, I know we don’t have endless time together.

This past week, during one of our conversations, she was gazing out the window when she said something that stopped me in my tracks: “This is when I miss my mother the most.” My eyes widened in surprise. She had never said anything like that before. I’ve always known she loved her mother—she’s spoken about her fondly, though not often. But this felt different.

Curious, I asked her why New Year’s Eve stirred such tender feelings of loss. She explained that her mother had passed near New Year’s Eve and recounted vivid memories of her final days. She told me about her mother jokingly encouraging her to get married and envisioning her with the young mechanic she was dating at the time.

As my mother shared, her voice carried a depth of emotion that was both heartbreaking and beautiful. She remembered every detail—what her mother was wearing, what she said, how she touched her hand, and even her mother’s concern for her. Despite not always recalling what she ate for breakfast or the name of a bus, my mother’s memory of those final moments with her own mother was strikingly vivid.

She described running to the hospital, calling for the doctor, and walking alongside her mother in the hallway. Even then, her mother’s compassion shone through. They saw a woman on the floor who hadn’t been fed all day, and my grandmother insisted that part of her meal be given to the stranger. My mother’s recollection painted a picture of a woman defined by love, justice, and selflessness—qualities that left a lasting impact.

That story and the details connected me with my Grandmother’s Love

Listening to her, I felt connected to my grandmother in a way I had never imagined. It was as if, through my mother’s words, her spirit came alive for me. I knew then that these stories couldn’t stay with just me—they needed to be shared with her great-grandchildren, who range in age from six to twenty-four.

This experience reaffirmed for me the importance of capturing these moments. Sometimes we think we’re too busy to ask about the past, but the real question is: do our parents or grandparents have the time to wait for us to ask?

It wasn’t just the details of the story that moved me—it was the depth of love my mother still feels for her own mother, 70 years later. It reminded me that someday, all we will have are memories of the people we treasure most.

To ensure those memories endure, I’ve made a habit of recording my mother’s stories. Sometimes we use Zoom; other times, I type them directly into her enduringwishes account. I prepare questions and prompts, but often the most meaningful stories come unexpectedly, like this one. Over time, this practice has become a source of peace for her, knowing that her legacy will be preserved for future generations.

Start the conversation today. Ask about their stories, their memories, and their lessons. Preserve their legacy. You may be surprised at how much it enriches your life—and theirs.

Learn more about how you can start preserving your loved ones legacy by using EnduringWishes.  Start a free trial today.