What to Do When I'm Gone

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A mother’s advice to her daughter serves as a guide to daily living, blending practicality with the sublime and featuring full-color illustrations. One sleepless night in her twenties, Hallie Bateman faced the painful realization that her mother would one day be gone. This thought was both devastating and frightening—how would she navigate life without her? Reflecting on the motherly wisdom she would miss, Hallie approached her mother, writer Suzy Hopkins, to record step-by-step instructions for her to follow after her mom’s passing. The list began humorously with “Pour yourself a stiff glass of whiskey and make some fajitas,” and expanded to address both significant and minor life challenges, from choosing a partner to baking a quiche. This project fostered open discussions between mother and daughter, filled with humor and gratitude, ultimately leading to the creation of this book. Combining Suzy’s heartfelt advice with Hallie’s whimsical illustrations, it serves as an illustrated manual for navigating life without a mother. The work poignantly explores themes of loss, love, and the importance of taking things one moment at a time, leaving readers both laughing and teary-eyed while encouraging enriching family conversations.