A CAPTURED MOMENT

The photo below is one I contemplated to post or not to post. The truth is, I really wanted to blog about this moment in time. My mother always encouraged my writing and I base all my blogs off authentic, raw, truth. So my deepest apologies to those who feel this picture is just "too much." Please know that I mean no disrespect. At the time it was taken, we actually had no idea. A girlfriend of mine saw an opportunity to catch something...and she was right.

My mother's favorite moments were those moments she got to catch Nicole and I simply being sisters. With an almost 7 year ago gap it was easy for my big sis to sometimes take on the role as another parental figure. But every so often, we would connect on the same level. Sisters. Today our personality differences list by the mile and our lives are Ying Yang, but the love that is there is very real and no matter what, we got each other's back. My mother would glow when she got to see those moments. It lit her up inside to see such a sibling bond, even if it was only so often.

This photo captures the minute right before my brave older sister took the stand to speak a Eulogy meant only for an Angel. I wasn't sure if she needed that minute alone, kneeling beside our mother, but something popped me up out of my chair and next to her. Together we took a deep breath and I grabbed her arm. I even joked lightly about "how happy mommy is to see us snuggling right now." What I didn't know is that moment was being captured. Possibly too morbid for some, but a blessing for me. See, the room was packed, but in those few seconds it was just us and Mom.