The whole reason I started writing and attempting to "Live Happily Ever Now" started when my mom passed away (5 years ago later this month). She had a bulletin board with quotes and pictures, and one of the quotes she had on a piece of paper simply said "Live Happily Ever Now". Those words have meant different things to me over the last 5 years, and have inspired me to be a better person, and to search out the good wherever I can.
Anyone who has lost someone close to them knows how a part of you changes forever, and the easiest way to deal with that change is to stick it deep down inside somewhere and never talk about or think about. For me, I did not want that to happen to my mom's memory, and that is why I chose to create a blog, website, facebook group, and even tattoo this message on my body to force myself to remember her, no matter how painful it is (literally painful with the tattoo).
This is something that I hope inspires others to share their lost loved ones memories, or at least makes them think about all the happy times they had with their beloved family member or friend that is no longer with them. I will never know the impact I have made, but feel this is a noble cause that keeps me smiling. I still have a hard time talking about her death out loud (I am getting better), so this is my way to share by writing.
On the note of not forgetting, I wish my mom a happy 53rd birthday today wherever she is (truthfully I see her in things all around me). She died 11 days after her 48th birthday, and this is the 4th one I'm celebrating without her. I will drink some Pacificos for you tonight sweet mamba, and may we all Live Happily Ever Now.
PS: My mom and her best friend Kim Taylor were supposed to get matching tattoos on their 50th birthdays (Kim got the tattoo image -- below). They found a picture of a peace sign and lotus flower, and thought it looked "cool", and I thought it was pretty awesome as well! I decided to get a memorial tattoo with these elements (my brother Walt did too, and he tattooed himself with a homemade gun -- Aunt Sue got one too), and I took the words and her handwriting straight from her journal. Here's to not forgetting. Live Happily Ever Now!
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| Kim Taylor's "Cool" Matching Tattoo |
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| My mom's words hand written by her taken from her journal forever with me |
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| Aunt Sue's tattoo |
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| Walt's homemade Tattoo by himself |
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Redwood trees, the ocean, and my mom's "cool" tattoo all in one
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