My mother died three and a half years ago. I miss her, but she was 98 and had had a severe stroke. When I’d visit those last few years before her death, she’d remark, “I don’t know why I keep on living!”

Then last week, my mother’s house finally sold. My brother, Terrell, was the executor of Mother ‘s estate, and he handled everything so well. Mother would be so proud of him and all of us for how fairly and friendly we handled distributing all her belongings. She grew up during the Great Depression when you didn’t throw away anything because it might come in handy someday. So, her house was packed, making it an enormous job for all of us – but especially Terrell and Sheila, to go through everything. But it was done and finally the house was emptied, repairs done, and it sold.

Terrell immediately sent each sibling their portion of the disbursement from mother ‘s estate.

I received my check today. After I signed for it and left the post office, I sat in my car and opened the envelope. On the note line, Terrell had written “disbursement from Ruth Shaw estate.”

Oh my! It’s been 3 1/2 years. I thought I had adjusted to it, but seeing those words were startling and the fact that my mother is gone hit me all over again. I had to take awhile to get myself back together before I could drive home.