Today, we had a memorial for my mom at church!

Last week, I told the priest that we probably would not have the memorial given the circumstances. But my dad’s best friend called me this week and really encouraged us to have the Memorial anyway.

He was so right! It felt so good to pray for my mom (and my dad and whole family) together. Olya and I brought food and shared it with everyone there in the generous spirit of my sweet mama!!! So many people helped Olya and me today. Thank you so much!!! Thanks to our priest for his flexibility and kindness toward me and my family! And most of all, praise God for giving us the strength and blessing to do it!