My mom was diagnosed and hospitalized with schizophrenia when I was very young. She remained hospitalized until passing away 10 years ago. I didn’t know her as well as I would have liked, well not in the traditional sense, but I knew her well through stories shared in my family.

The few childhood memories I do have of us together I will always cherish — baking bread and sitting it on the window sill to rise on warm summer days, always cleaning my face with a tissue she would find in her purse, after licking it first of course (the worst! but it now makes me smile thinking about it today), and her lovely drawings and paintings.

As I got older I would try to mimic her work that I admired so much; curly-Q orange and apple peels she would hang in the pantry to dry for incense, the beautiful hats and gloves she would dress us in just because, and all of the kisses she showered me with.

She was so many wonderful things – selfless, compassionate, nurturing, full of love and laughter.

I will miss you always, mom. ~shared by @susanfalzone