It all started out with trying on Z's new shoes.

My mother who has not shed her black clothes since the day my father died, was now wearing a bright green top as the girls stripped her of the heaviness both on her face and body.

Next came the lip gloss after tons of protesting. She has great pride that no paint has ever adorned her face.

The glasses were traded with Z's to see if she like them or not. Hers, according to the girls are totally dated.

The change was palpable. What was even more evident, was the change in her face. Lit by a bright smile. A heartfelt smile, one that has been missing for five years and five months.

Here is my mother at 80 years young. She has decided that she has a new lease on life since my oldest daughter and child moved in with her about a month ago.

The circumstances of this move were painful to us, but the results are already proving that indeed there is a silver lining to every stormy cloud.