Mom died last night. So much sadness. She was over 100 years old and had quickly been lost to us over the last few months, drowned by vascular dementia. So much relief. My sisters and I have lost our mother. So much sadness. The youngest of us is 70 years old. So many wry smiles. Mom loved family and was our matriarch. So much sadness. All of Mom’s brothers and most of her cousins have been long dead. So much comfort. Mom’s body is now gone. So much sadness. But Mom’s strong faith means her spirit has soared right into her God’s always trusted arms. So much relief. Mom was a pioneering woman who was our inspiration. So much sadness. Mom was often difficult and demanding. So much relief. And so it goes. The yin and yang of this death. Curled tightly together in a sphere of love.