“That does sound a lot like you.”  Lyndsay responded.

“Yeah I know.  You see, I didn’t want to move here, but my Mom insisted that it was the best thing for us.  A fresh start, away from LA and all of the painful memories of losing Mama T.  This would give us a new beginning.  It was really hard at first, but eventually it did give us the fresh start and the ability to make new memories without all of the bad ones constantly reminding us of what we had lost. 

I was very reluctant to move here at first, but once we arrived, slowly I grew to love this place, and it became my home.  Mom and I used to spend a lot of time just sitting here on this bench, talking about Mama T and our memories of her.  I was only 13 when she died, but I felt like she was still in my life because of the countless times Mom and I would sit here and talk about her.  Now that Mom is gone, I’m worried that those memories will fade, and that in time, I won’t remember either one of them.”

Now understanding, Lyndsay let out a deep breath.  “That’s what this is all about?  You are worried that you will forget all about your Mom’s, because they are no longer here?  Oh Ang, don’t you realize that they are still here.  They continue to live on in you, in your heart, and yes even in your memories.  They may fade a little, but they will never truly be gone.”  Looking at their daughter standing down by the lake, she continued on.

“They continue to live on in you, in me, and in our daughter.  Bette loved Bailey so much, and Bailey has all of these wonderful memories of her time spent with Bette.  It’s up to you and I to make sure that those memories continue to live on so that Bailey remembers Bette, and Mama T, even though she never met her in person. 

Ang, do you remember the story you told me one day when we sitting here on this very bench about the ripple effect?  You tossed a stone into the water, and explained how the ripples were very much like losing someone special in your life.  How even though the person was gone, they continued to live on in those who remained behind? 

Do you see Bailey tossing stones into the water?  She is the next incarnation of that ripple effect.  She has memories of Bette, and also some of your Mama T, from the pictures and videos she has viewed and the stories of her that she has been told.  That will continue on even thought they are no longer a part of her life.  Just as one day she will have her own memories of you and I when we are no longer here.  All we can do is share with her the joys and sorrows that life deals us, and help prepare her for facing the world on her own.  As her Moms, that is our responsibility.  To allow her to make her own mistakes, but to teach her to make wise choices based on our knowledge and the knowledge that our parents passed onto us.”

Angie thought for a long time before voicing her response.  “You know I really have to be the luckiest woman in the world.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I have this amazing partner who just always seems to know what to say and how make it all better.”

“Ang, I love you, even though sometimes I could strangle you.  It’s really hard when you run from me like you did yesterday, but I truly love you with everything that I am.”

“I love you too.  More than I think I will ever be able to tell or show you.”

“You show me all the time, it’s the little things you do that mean the most.  I’ve never needed grand gestures from you, I always just need you to be you…..that’s all I’ve ever wanted or needed.”

Angie smiled at her wife.  Looking over at their daughter who continued to throw stones into the lake Angie stood from the bench.  She held out her hand to Lyndsay.  “Come on, I think it’s time we shared some memories with our daughter and explained the meaning of the ripple effect to her before she tosses every rock into the water and runs out.”

With that the two women walked over to their daughter and began the next chapter in their lives.