My Sister Reminds Me So Much of Our Mother

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I watch as my baby sister rocks and soothes her newborn baby. She cuddles him close and whispers sweet words of love and comfort. I’m mesmerized by her maturity and effortless transformation into motherhood.

She is a beautiful new mother.

She is patient. She is calm. She is radiating love and joy.

I wonder if she knows how beautiful she looks.

She reminds me so much of our mother. That part aches because our mother is gone. It makes this happy moment, full of sadness and sorrow too.

She doesn’t notice, but I have tears in my eyes from the emotion of this exact moment. I find myself overwhelmed with delicate and interweaved emotions.

RELATED: A Love Letter From Mamas in Heaven to Their Beautiful Daughters on Earth

As I wipe the tears, I catch another glimpse of my sister engaged with her son, and everything feels joyful again, overwhelmingly joyful. I stare at the two of them. Both pieces of my mother. Both extensions of her life and love. Both parts of her legacy.

As I slowly lean in to hold my nephew, I’m filled with immense celebration and gratitude. This little boy doesn’t get to meet his grandmother, but even with that harsh reality, the beauty is that he still obtained pieces of her. Even better, he has a mother who reflects all she was.

He has a mother just like her. Made by her love, example, and influence.

As for him, he has priceless pieces of her too. He has some of her blood running through his veins. He has some of her spirit running through his soul. He has her wisdom and her heart and her love soaring through his little body, and it’s a priceless gift we will never take for granted.

For so long I’ve grieved all of the pieces of my mother that have been lost. Today, I looked up and realized the precious pieces of her that remain. I saw her once again. Clear as day, I saw her. She was right there, exuding love and light through my sister.

RELATED: Even Though You’re In Heaven, Your Grandchildren Will Know You

The day my sister became a mother, my mother had brand new pieces of her legacy created and extended.

So far, it has been grief’s most beautiful gift. An extended legacy for my mother, and another priceless gift to love.

Originally published on the author’s blog

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

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Chelsea Ohlemiller

Chelsea Ohlemiller is well-known for her blog, Happiness, Hope and Harsh Realities. She has written for multiple platforms such as Her View from Home, Love What Matters, and Scary Mommy. She has had essays featured in two Chicken Soup for the Soul collections, as well as the national bestseller So God Made a Mother. Her first book will be released August 2024. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and three children. Website: www.hopeandharshrealities.com Instagram Handle: hopeandharshrealities Facebook: @hopeandharshrealities

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My Sister Reminds Me So Much of Our Mother

She reminds me so much of our mother. That part aches because our mother is gone. It makes this happy moment, full of sadness and sorrow too.

He has a mother just like her. Made by her love, example, and influence.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

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