Whenever I see something like this, I know you are still with me and it makes me smile.

A cardinal stopped on the hood of my car today while I was sitting at a stoplight.  Thanks for saying hi.  It made my day.

Another week goes by, and I still have dreams where I see your joyful eyes and smiling face. You have that mischievous expression that always says you know something no one else does. As if you're privy to some secret; like you have a VIP pass to everyone's secrets and fears, yet you never judge and are never trigger-happy with unsolicited advice. You always know what needs to be said and when it needs to be said. Your wisdom and brevity makes your words all the more poignant, as they always have been, and there is still comfort in that. I can still picture the way you laugh- the way you tuck in your chin and make that little "pppff" noise before you have a good chuckle. I miss your to-the-point style and your earnestness.

You still give me confidence, and I still see you in the bravery of your children, your siblings, your parents, and your nieces and nephews. I sincerely hope that you had at least some knowledge of how much you were loved. I feel as though it may be impossible for one person to realize the scope of influence they have on those who love them, and it may be too late to tell you that your influence was immense, but you must forgive me if I try.

You taught me that wonderful things come in simple packages, and that happiness doesn't come from perfection but satisfaction in the simple things. I used to envy your perfect life. You told me that it wasn't perfect, but I found it hard to believe you because you seemed to have everything I ever wanted. A home of your own, happy and healthy children, a husband who adored you... I always thought that's all a person could expect out of life in the best circumstances.

I did my best to emulate you in the only way I knew how, but it turns out that my means brought me to an undesirable end. Then I grew up and remembered all the things you helped to teach me. I remembered when you said "Don't be a doormat", and I'm proud to say that I haven't been one since. I will forever miss you, and the way you never pitied me, and how you had expectations for me that I wanted to live up to.

My belief in the afterlife differs from most, but I do believe that energy never dies; it just takes different forms. Your energy will always live on within me and everyone who ever knew you.

 I will love and remember you always, and everyone I love in the future will love you as well. They will have no choice in the matter :)