I don't like measuring the passage of time. In fact, I resent it. But today, I can't ignore it. Because it's September 20, 2025 and that marks exactly five years without you.

I remember it like it was yesterday, the day our beautiful mother Ramona "Mackie" lost her bout with Dementia.

It rocked our family to its core as she was our mother, our father, our everything! She loved us uniquely and completely unconditionally.

This year, our reflections of our childhood did not bring tears, but smiles and pure joy. It still hurts every single day, but it has become more manageable with time. The way we have decided to preserve her memory is by telling her stories and jokes to our kids.

She was the sweetest, kindest, funniest, and wittiest person we ever knew. We are very lucky to have those memories etched in our minds and inscribed in our hearts.

The measure of a good life, we've learned through yours, is that it holds value even when it's over. Five years.... and we still think about you every day. Her strength. Her poise. Her graciousness. Her love.

As we cherish life the way she taught us, we also realize her legacy will never be gone. It will live and flourish in our stories.

Moma, your death has taught us as much as your time on earth did. About life. About family. About ourselves. About you. Everything we thought we knew to be true has been questioned or disproved by the mere fact of your passing. Maybe that seems dramatic, but it's true. We've been forced to look under the hood and figure out how this whole thing — this whole life without you — works.

Moma, our heart aches with your absence, but it is also filled with love, strength, wisdom, and endless gratitude you always gave to Brooke and I. We feel your guiding light everyday, and we see your kindness in our own actions. You taught us well! You are, and always will be, our inspiration. We love you forever!

Kiss Grandpa and Madea for us as we both know we are the epitome of two sisters raised by not only you Moma, but by your parents, Vanderbilt Bynum, Jr. and Daisy Thomas Bynum on Choctaw Road in Brusly, LA. Hug your grandson Kobe, your siblings, (our aunts and uncles, Brenda, Choota (Charles), Troy, Catherine (Cat 'T) Sheila, Mary, and Linda). Hug our favorite Great Uncle Alston, and let him know his mentoring paid off...let Louis (Boonie), Kenyo, Pete, Etan, and Lil Van, our great aunts and uncles, and other cousins know that we miss them all each and every day. As we continue to say every year, the chain may have lost several links, but we will continue to hold on.

Thank you, Moma. Like you used to sing to us, one of your favorite Stevie Wonder songs, we will now share with you "You are the sunshine of our lives, forever you'll stay in our hearts".... Continue watching over us in heaven. We will miss you forever!

Rest in Heavenly Peace Moma!

Your girls, Bridgette and Bianca (Brooke)