Two years ago, I finished a puzzle and discovered it was missing a piece. I shared a photo on social media and commiserated with fellow puzzle lovers.  I had bought this puzzle one Christmas to complete with my mother.  Christmases hadn’t been the same since Dad died and so I thought Mom would enjoy completing it with me.  I finished the puzzle all but one missing piece.  Mom passed away a few months later. 

I enjoy puzzles because my late parents enjoyed puzzles. I loved our late night conversations as we worked at the dining room table. Our shared task encouraged personal discussions.

As I sorted through her closet later on, I found the missing puzzle piece in the large pocket of the cheery red cardigan she had worn on that Christmas Eve. It must have been bumped off the table while we worked. When I realized what I'd found, it literally took my breath away.

It felt very appropriate that Mom and I finished our final puzzle together. She would have liked that. ~BC