When my mother died, I had this incredible guilty feeling. Perhaps it was my outspokenness as a teen, or maybe the fact that I never felt as connected to her because of the difference in ages. Maybe it was that in life I failed to tell her how wonderful she was. Told her I loved her but don’t know how many times I thanked her for all she did. I was perhaps still young to truly understand the impact she had in my life but my emptiness went way beyond grief. Writing “Adios Eva” helped me heal from these feelings. I realized that her life needed to be celebrated: that others had to know how incredible this woman was. I needed my mom to know. It was an amazing experience. Thank you!

- Martha Arteaga