Christmas has never been the same since my mom passed in 1990. Her efforts at sheltering me from experiencing death growing up, didn’t prepare me to face her loss. I miss her most in unasked questions.<br /> <br /> A yearly joy going on 28 years has come from her passing. Christmas comes early to…

I wrestle the strap from my shoulder and let the backpack slide to the ground. Pushing the Tilley forward over my face, I lay my head back on the mound to take a lie down for a little while. The date etched on the marker indicates the women was buried some twenty eight years ago….