A story of family, loss, gratitude, and the signs that remain

A Lifetime of Love and Little Signs

Written by Cathy R.

“Every now and then, I receive little signs from my parents.”

My name is Cathy, and I was born and raised in Michigan. I’ve lived here my entire life.

I come from a big Irish Catholic family, seven daughters in total. My dad always hoped for a boy, but life had other plans. Our family of nine was loud, loving, and full of memories I treasure deeply.

My eldest sister passed away in 2008, before either of my parents. My dad died in 2012, and my mom followed in 2015, the night before my 48th birthday. My godmother, who was also my mom’s sister, passed away on my birthday years later, and that day has never felt quite the same.

I miss all of them more than words can express, but I’m grateful for the childhood they gave me.

When I hear people complain about their parents, I think about what I wouldn’t give for just one more hour with mine.

Losing your parents puts you in a club no one wants to belong to, the one where people still ask, “Are your mom and dad coming to your son’s graduation?” or “Where do your parents live?”

I try to stay optimistic and remind myself how lucky I was to have both of my parents well into my forties. That truly is a gift.

I met my husband when I was 27 and he was 30. He was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States with his family when he was nine.

Together we have one wonderful child, our son, who is now 27 and living in Washington, DC. He moved there just two days after graduating college in 2021 and never looked back. He loves his life there. We hope to be grandparents someday, though we’re not sure if that’s in the cards.

Cathy’s mother smiling at home — A lifetime of family, love, and memories Cathy continues to carry.

Cathy’s father and husband sharing a conversation at a family gathering — A lifetime of family, love, and memories Cathy continues to carry.

I spent 45 years in the mortgage industry and decided to try retirement as of July 8, 2026. My parents always told me to retire as soon as I could because life is too short and you don’t want to miss time with the people who matter most.

Easier said than done, but they were right. So I’m giving retirement a try, and we’ll see how it goes.

Every now and then, I receive little signs from my parents. They’re subtle, but they show me they’re still around, and they always make me smile.

Those moments mean everything, and I never let them go unnoticed.