Theo and Bob set up beach chairs. I'd been journal-writing, reading, thinking, and talking more to my therapist about compassion, and I'd realized that she was right. Similar to how I'd never learned how to repair communication, talk about difficult feelings, or set healthy boundaries. I handed a single flower to Theo, Faith, and Bob, and kept one for myself. At the water's edge, we spoke about my mom, Lauraine: mom, grandmother, partner, friend, survivor, vilomah — parent whose child died.

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Persons: —, Bob, who'd, Theo, we'd, Faith, he'd, I'd, overachieving —, vilomah, Lauren, you've, it's, Tracey Yokas Organizations: Service, Business, Faith Locations: New Jersey