The idea for *Forget-Me-Not Books* was born from the grief of our own family with the loss of our mother.

 

After a long battle with cancer, she passed away, leaving an unimaginable emptiness and pain in my life. She had been more than just my mom—she was my best friend, my confidant, my anchor. Her absence left me struggling to feel connected to the person who had been the center of my world for so long.

 

One day, in the midst of those raw, painful days, someone who knew her reached out to offer their condolences. As we spoke, they began to tell me about the first time they met her, sharing stories I’d never heard before—stories that showed her in a whole new light. It hit me then that everyone who had crossed paths with her carried their own unique memories and experiences. She was a mother and best friend to me, but to others, she had been a teacher, a mentor, a colleague, or just an unexpected joy in their day.

Inspired, I decided to reach out to others who had signed her memorial registry, asking if they’d be willing to share their stories of her. With every conversation, I learned something new, and each story pieced together a fuller, richer portrait of who my mother was. I kept notes of every memory, every little detail, and began to see a story forming.

 

I didn’t want to lose any of these beautiful pieces of her life, so I started collecting them into a book.

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To capture the essence of her life, I added more than just words. I included news clippings, samples of her handwriting, and even a few of her best recipes—the things that had been part of her day-to-day life. I wanted anyone who opened this book to see her the way I had, not just through pictures but through her life’s little details.

After finishing her book, I realized that many others might feel the same need to capture and preserve memories of their loved ones in this way. That’s how *Forget-Me-Not Books* was born. It became my way to help others hold onto the stories, experiences, and cherished memories of the people they’ve loved and lost—a way to create a book that tells a story only a life lived could give.