My mom passed away this past Friday. She was 81. She had numerous medical issues but, thankfully, she died peacefully in her sleep. She had made arrangements in 2010 to have her body donated for research to the Meharry Medical College in Nashville. I was able to see that her wish was kept. I’m coming to terms with the loss. Mom was my moral compass, my biggest fan and my harshest critic. Now, I have the unenviable task of wrapping up her life. Cancelling accounts, cleaning out her house and finding new homes for her kitties. My sons and my fiancé have been helping me deal with everything, but it’s still a very lonely place to be.