Today, April 17, 2021, 12 years, 5 months, and 9 days after Laura’s death, I felt confident enough to make the decision to relocate the alter I created in her memory from the living room to the second floor. I felt it was time to move the pictures, angels, prayer cards, candles, name necklace, stones with inspirational words painted on them, and the Precious Moments figurine—a girl holding a dove up to the sky dated with Laura’s angel year printed on it. I even moved her Mickey Mouse water glass, which I still keep filled just in case she is nearby and thirsty. 

I am not saying I removed all her pictures because I never will do that. I found new places to display them in the living room, along with the small lantern that Danielle, my daughter-in-law, gave me as a Christmas present a few years ago. The lantern is a keepsake that finds its way to the dining room table for the Christmas season. You probably have seen the lovely message on many memorial items that reads, “Because someone we love is in Heaven, there’s a bit of Heaven in our home.” 

I am at peace with my decision. Now every trip up and down the staircase I am greeted by her beautiful smile.