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Morgan’s mother is currently battling stage 4 ovarian cancer (she has since passed on)

Dear Mommy,

I want you to know that when your body has given out and had enough of the pain and your spirit takes flight, I will be there holding you in my heart. You will be inside my soul with every move that I make because you are part of me and death cannot take that away. I am picking up where you left off on your journey. I will embody the memory of you at my age. I will think of you vibrant and always impassioned, politically active, the greatest advocate for our planet and all of the animals that inhabit our beautiful Earth. A feminist, never wavering in your beliefs, strong and so absolutely beautiful.

I will remember myself at Orion and Kira’s ages, as they grow thinking of how you mothered me so flawlessly through it all, how you never missed a beat. The memories come flooding back from our trips to trader joe’s when I was little, and sat in the cart and looked up at you and thought you were the most beautiful, miraculous human, I still think that. To baking cookies on cozy winter days, To the month that you spent living with us in Burlingame as we waited for Kira’s arrival. Taking care of me and Orion, what a blissful time that was. To all of your incredible meals, You’re forever my favorite cook. To the dinner parties you would host, always Barefoot with a glass of red wine, glowing and gorgeous and fiery and brilliant. I will think of you with every bird I take the time to notice and with every dog that greets me.

And I'll remember the sick days to, I'll remember how bravery & fiercely you fought. And it should come as no surprise because you have always been so remarkably strong. You have shaped me into the woman and mother that I am today and death cannot separate us because you are a part of me always. I love you forever and ever, lifetime after lifetime.

Morgan

Morgan Pansing is a Lifestyle and Editorial photographer. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Scot, their 2 children, Orion and Kira, and their dog Dexter.