If you know me well, you “know” about my mom: brilliant, wise, talented, gracious, beautiful, and kind.  She’s the most important person in my life. So, why oh why, on Mother’s Day, am I writing about the death of our mothers?  You see, I couldn’t even say “my mother” because for as long as I can remember, the death of my mother has been my biggest fear/dread.

So, when I heard about the book, What to Do When I’m Gone, an illustrated instruction manual for getting through life without one’s mom, I was intrigued.  Then, I read that the talented illustrator/daughter, Hallie Bateman (who has had the same fear of losing her mom since early childhood), created this book with her beloved writer/mom, Suzy Hopkins, I ordered it immediately. It made me laugh out loud and it made me cry.  It’s a funny, yet poignant guidebook–a look at loss, love, and taking things one moment at a time. It’s about facing the inevitable with grace and good humor and conveying the message that love is endless, unbounded by death.  I highly recommend it.