A mother is the truest friend we have; when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends, who rejoiced with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Author unknown, c.1875

In my first job after college, one of my tasks was to help write obituaries for a daily newspaper.

There was a list of area funeral homes, and I called my portion of them every day. The person on the other end of the line would read the obituary information aloud while we’d type it in for publication.

One of the traditionally black funeral homes regularly pronounced their deceased as having been “Promoted to Glory.”

I’d never heard that expression before, but I really liked it.

It’s positive, when we usually think of Death’s calling as something to be feared, something to be dreaded.

Who doesn’t want to be “promoted”? Students advancing to the next grade level? Employees seeking bigger challenges and more pay? And perhaps, anyone hoping for a happy afterlife?

I’ve often been “accused” of being Little Debbie Sunshine, but honestly, isn’t it better (and healthier) to try to find the positives in every situation, rather than miring yourself in gloominess?

So, on this second anniversary of my mom’s passing, I’m trying to rise above my grieving and imagine how happy she must be … surrounded by all that Glory!

Miss you, Mama.