08/14/2026
I am completely overcome with pain and heartbreak to share that my beautiful mom Gemma passed away suddenly and tragically on Wednesday. My heart is shattered knowing that I now face the reality of somehow navigating this life ahead without her here. I am confused, broken, and on my knees praying to feel her presence here with me.
My mom is the most important and most remarkable person in my life. She loved deeply, gave selflessly, and brought light and joy to anyone who was lacking it in their lives. Her calling was to serve Christ by serving others, extending compassion and help to anyone deserving and especially to anyone undeserving. She leaves behind such a legacy of works that I can only hope to honor and carry forward to even a fraction of what she was able to in her time here.
She taught me so much, the things I am good at— to find joy in humble things, to love life, to care for your family above anything else, to feed anyone who enters your home, to work, to command more of yourself, to RUN, and to RUN, and to keep on RUNNING…. and the things I am still working on— to lead with faith, submission to God, obedience of giving first and expect nothing in return… to lean on Jesus in the dark and confusing times as well as the happy and joyous ones.
Every fiber of the person I am is my mom. She is my anchor to this earth and to no longer have her here completely hollows me from the inside out. I ache relentlessly knowing how much life we still wanted to live together and all the moments and milestones we wanted to share together.
I feel glimpses of comfort knowing that she is now dancing with her Lord Jesus in lush fields of climbing yellow lady banks and fragrant pink jasmine with my auntie Becca right beside her. I feel glimpses of peace that she didn’t fear death in life, and knew exactly where she was going when the time came. It is incredibly emptying to accept that that time is now.
I don’t know what the minutes or hours or days ahead look like without my mom. I want to talk to her so badly, and hear her voice one last time. I know she would want me to fall to my knees and call out to God, so that is what I will do for now.
Please cover me, my brother, my stepdad, our entire family, my mom’s friends, and her entire community in prayer as we grieve.
