A Balloon for Her

“My mother’s last Valentine’s Day I knew would be her last. I bought her a balloon in the shape of a heart. 

She was so happy about this balloon.  Happier, in fact, than I thought the average person would be. 

But she said, “you know, balloons are my favorite”. 

No, I did not know that.  In that case, I had a task to do. 

The balloon I had bought her was not the actual balloon I wanted to buy for her.  The one I wanted to buy for her was much bigger and more grand.  Realizing how happy she was about the balloon I brought to her, I knew I needed to go back and buy the bigger one as well.  This was, after all, her last Valentine’s Day. 

So I set out to buy this big, grand, beautiful heart shaped balloon.  I brought it home and watched her face light up with a big smile.  That made me so happy. 

She wasn’t with us much longer after that. 

Valentine’s Day the following year came and I bought my young son a Valentine’s Day balloon, or so I thought. 

I realized it was really for my mom. 

And now, every Valentine’s Day my tradition is to buy a balloon for her.  It helps me to honor her memory in a positive way and brings a little more joy to my day and my home.”

Shared with permission. Names and identifying details may be changed.

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Even in the mud, something is beginning.