The Remains of The Holidays

Pink dogwood, one of Valerie’s favorite spring pleasures, blooming in our neighborhood on the first Mother’s Day since her death. (Photo is my own.)

Monday, 9 May 2022

Dear Valerie,

I tried to write to you yesterday, on Mother’s Day, but I just couldn’t seem to connect any dots between my thoughts and emotions and the empty pages. It was as if the flood of remembrance was blocking the flow of words.

So I’m trying again today. This will probably end up as a melting pot of memories, not necessarily in…