I’m heading to see my mom’s best friend of 35+ years. The kind of person who’s been woven into my life forever. We’ve spent even more time together since my mom died, holding onto the pieces of her that still live in us. She’s the one who took me bra shopping when my mom got me the classic “uni-boob” starter pack, and she threw my wedding shower, she’s always shown up.

I’ve been crying on and off all day. The kind of tears that don’t cancel each other out. I’m happy to be with people who make me feel close to my mom, and heavy with the ache of missing her.

I’ve learned something about grief, it softens a little when you sit with people who are missing the same person. There’s comfort in not having to explain the shape of the loss or the need to move on.

I made an epic charcuterie board, and I plan to eat my feelings, lovingly, dramatically, and probably with too much cheese.

Photo: My mom’s self portrait, “Consulting the Oracle” and her drawing of us when I was a baby ✨ she was so talented, and so clueless how talented she was.