It's been a little over a month since we said "See ya Monday" one last time to Mom as she made the transition from this life to an eternity in Heaven. It feels both just like yesterday and also a lifetime ago.

Dad and I have learned that grief is like the ocean...especially when you love and were loved so deeply. As a friend shared, "great grief comes from great love." And boy, did we love Mom.

Some days, the waves of grief crash over our heads, sweep us off our feet and leave us tumbling below the surface. But other times, the waves are gentle and rolling, giving us glimpses of a spectacular horizon. Sometimes we feel strong, cutting through the waves and sometimes we need a lifeline to stay afloat. Thankfully, God is always there and has been working through so many of you to throw that lifeline (a text, a note, a phone call, an invitation, a visit) just when we need it most. We continue to be so grateful for EVERYONE on #teamCheryl!

The last month has also been filled with reminders of how many people loved Mom and how her spirit of love continues to touch so many. We have loved the notes letting us know where you have shared your own time, talents and treasure in memory/honor of Mom. Here's just a sampling of the amazing, diverse organizations that have felt the ripples of Mom's love through all of you...and we know the ripples will continue to grow:

• American Cancer Society, Pancreatic Research
• Arms of Love, Dakota County
• Be the Match
• CaringBridge
• Empty Bowls of Cook County
• Feed My Starving Children
• Heifer International
• King’s Kids Preschool at Christ the King Church in Hutchinson
• Mayo Clinic
• Music Department of Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville, WI
• PDK Foundation for Kidney Research
• Penumbra Center for Racial Healing
• People Reaching Out to People (PROP)
• Project for Pride in Living
• Simpson Housing Services
• St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
• START Senior Solutions
• Tandem
• The Salvation Army
• The Shalom Project
• Wycliff Bible Translations

As we face our daily lives without Mom, until we are reunited in Heaven, we are guided by two things: 

1. When in doubt, asking ourselves, "What would Cheryl do?" Usually the answer is very clear and grounded in love in action.
2. Brockton's Rule #1: Take one step and one day at a time. That wisdom shared by Mom's first gastroenterologist just over two years ago continues to serve us well.

We're not sure what the future will hold, but we are grateful for how Mom's love and example has shaped and continues to shape our lives. We know her love will always be with us and that gives us comfort until we are reunited in Heaven.

And so...while the story isn't over, it's time to close this chapter and begin writing a new one. Part of me will miss writing these updates. These entries have been therapeutic for me as well as informative for all of you. But it's time to be done here. Thank you all for your encouragement, feedback and support. It's been an honor to give you all a way to follow along with our journey.

But before we go, we have one more favor to ask of #teamCheryl: love each other fiercely. It's what Mom would have wanted. 💗