It was only after my mom died that I truly learned how to have compassion for her — and myself

Courtesy of the author

• Tracey Yokas is an author, artist, and advocate.
• She has her master's degree in counseling psychology.  
• This is an excerpt from her memoir "Bloodlines: A Memoir of Harm and Healing."

I kicked off my flip-flops, sank my feet into the soft, warm sand. Faith stood beside me. Waves rolled onto the shoreline. July 20, 2013. The first anniversary of Mom's death.

Along with Mom's partner...