Today is a very somber anniversary of my mother’s passing. Giuseppina Benenati Hayden was only 73 when she died of ovarian cancer. I’m so glad I was there to hold her hand. As per her wishes, we spread some of her ashes near the base where she met my US Coast Guard father in Italy. Next week we will spread some of her ashes near his ashes here in the Pacific, where my grandfather and his wife also had their ashes scattered. I was extremely close with my mother, as most people know, which makes me wonder how she would have reacted to all the good and horrible things that have happened in the last decade. I know she would be very proud that I bought a house, despite one of her sisters in Italy stealing the inheritance of my siblings and me. She would be proud that I’m in the best shape of my adult life (she was not shy about complaining about my health being affected by my weight) and she would be proud that I try to stay in touch with our family in Italy, even though I am overdue for a visit due to Covid, then my fire which required a lot of managing of my home’s renovation, etc.