Sunday was a tough day -- probably one of the worst days I have had since Mom died. I don't know why, but the grief was erupting inside me and I had to let it out. So, I drove down to the lake. And I wrote God a letter. Very slowly and intentionally I penned these simple words:

Please help me.
I miss her so much.
I hurt so badly.
I am lost but searching.
You spoke to me before.
Please speak to me again.
Help me to see.
Open my heart.
Guide my hand.

It was a bitter cold day. But the sun shone brightly through my car window. I allowed the sun to soak up my prayer and dry my tears. Then I drove home and cried some more.

Today is Tuesday. I had an eye appointment at Sears Optical and was a little excited about getting my first pair of glasses. As I was leaving the store, not thinking about anything in particular, God responded to Sunday's prayer in a most unexpected way. These were the words posted on the door:

Skeptics may see this as a mere coincidence. But, there is no doubt in my mind that this was a message from God. When God talks, she has a way of making her voice known. It is like being struck by a powerful wave of knowledge. You don't believe. You simply know.

Cleaning out my office today, I found a list of all of the countries my mom visited. Her and I made this list one evening only a couple weeks before she passed. I am so very thankful that we did this.

Mexico 8X
Spain 6X
Peru 4X
Costa Rica 3-4X
Morocco 2-3X
England 2X
France
Belgium
Germany
Switzerland
Italy
Sicily
Turkey
Egypt
China
Australia
New Zealand
Guatemala
Bolivia
Ecuador
Brazil
Panama
Argentina
Chili
Paraguay
Canada

Though Mom loved to travel, I distinctly remember her telling me one day last winter, "A trip to Monkey Joes with grandkids is better than traveling anywhere in the world."

This picture was taken of my mom and I on our last trip to Spain in 2008.