Sarah Ritter: Writer

A Mother’s Promise

As Mother’s Day approaches, I think about the promise my mom made to me; a promise many mothers make to their children: “I’ll always be with you.” Sometimes this promise is first whispered to the unborn baby, tucked away in the mother’s womb. For others, the promise begins as soon as a mother first embraces her newly born baby neatly swaddled in cloth, just as the story begins in my illustrated book “I’ll Always Be With You.”

Even if a mother never specifically says the words “I’ll always be with you” to her child, this message in evident in the day-to-day interactions between mother and child throughout their relationship. Those words are expressed when a mother sits with her child at the end of a bad day, attends important events, or calls her child just to say hello.

The words “I’ll always be with you,” can take on a spiritual meaning, as they did for me when my mom reaffirmed her promise while she prepared for her inevitable passing. The lockets she gifted my sister and me with those words engraved and her photo inside, serve as a physical reminder that she is still with me, even though she is not here to say so in person.

Mother’s Day may only be officially celebrated one day a year, but it can be celebrated throughout the year. Those little day-to-day interactions where you make an effort to spend time together and include each other in your lives are a gift to cherish all year long. Taking time out of your day to communicate with each other demonstrate that you are thinking of each other, even on the days you can’t physically be together. It is these moments you will cherish long after you have to say goodbye to each other.

As I’m planning for the upcoming Mother’s Day celebrations, I will continue to think about the amazing women in my life: my mother who raised me, my stepmother who helped me transition to my adult years, and my mother-in-law who has been nurturing me towards my wise old age! As a stepmother to two children who are now in their freshman year of college, and a dog-momma to three four-legged puppies, who are slowing down with age, I also reflect on the joy each of my children have added to my life. I also remember that even if we can't be together in person for Mother's Day, we can reach out to remind each other that we are thinking of each other, no matter how far apart we are.

© 2026 Sarah Ritter. All Rights Reserved.

A Mother’s Promise As Mother’s Day approaches, I think about the promise my mom made to me; a promise many mothers make to their children: “I’ll Always Be With You.” Sometimes this promise is …

Saying Goodbye to Chris Gay

One month ago, I received a phone call with the news that local CT author and personal friend, Chris Gay had passed away. As friends and family members gathered in remembrance of Chris, I had the opportunity to share some of my memories of Chris, and the impact that he had on all our lives:

Today, as we say goodbye to Chris, I stand before a community of people that he brought together. Many of you are family members who grew up with Chris, friends who played various sports with him, or perhaps are colleagues who chatted throughout the workday. But there are many, like me, who met Chris through his writing. Twenty years ago, I would never have imagined that a simple game of mini golf with a man who writes funny emails and plays hockey would evolve into a friendship spanning two decades.



Chris typically credited his “wit, charm and Lithuanian good looks” for his personal success and extensive network of friends. However, I credit Chris’ ability to befriend so many people with the overwhelming passion and enthusiasm he held for living a joyful life with his friends and family. His ability to sprinkle humor into any situation, transform historical facts into sarcastic satire, and of course, spontaneously erupt into a vocal fanfare of his favorite lyrics, all were examples of the enthusiasm you would be engulfed in during a casual visit with Chris.



Chris’ loyalty to his beloved Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Bills, and his home state were inserted into daily conversations and books he wrote. Chris maintained his childlike spirit of Christmas all through his life, which was evident by the presence of his nearly year-round Christmas tree. So, it was not a complete surprise when he wrote a novella about Kris Kringle and Santa Claus’ humble Connecticut origins.



Chris understood how important it was to cherish the time he had with those he loved and often sent messages of gratitude for those in his life. He was both an inspiration and a motivational coach, encouraging his friends to reach their personal goals, and celebrating our successes as if they were his own. He broke down the barriers between his friend groups and widened our own social circles. Chris always counted down the days to these special events, because seeing everyone there was the highlight of his year. After years of attending Chris’s annual gatherings, book events, sports games and various social engagements, once casual acquaintances transformed into lifelong friends.



Chris’s legacy will live on through the words and humor which brought so many people together, who may have never otherwise met. We will continue to be inspired by this man who accomplished his dreams of making people laugh though his writing and finding others to laugh alongside with. As his friends and family, we will keep our promises to Chris to live life to the fullest in his honor.



We will miss Chris, but on those days, we miss him most, we can read his books to see his personality come to life. Recently, re-reading the last few pages of his book: Kris Kringle: Santa Claus from Man to Myth, felt like receiving just a little bit of closure from him during this unexpected time:



“Kris looked down at his friends, who were looking up and waving to him. He waved back and, though certain that they couldn’t hear him, called out to them anyway. “Merry Christmas!”



May Chris be looking down on his friends and family now, watching us wave goodbye to him, as we let him know that we already miss him. May every single one of us always carry Christmas in our hearts, just as he did. May we continue to look out for each other, just as he looked out for us.



Chris, you are now reunited with your beloved younger sister, Chelsea, your mother Susan, and your aunt Gene. Rest in peace, my friend.

Saying Goodbye to Chris Gay One month ago, I received a phone call with the news that local CT author and personal friend, Chris Gay had passed away. As friends and family members gathered in remembrance of Chris, I had the o…

Straw Dog Writers Guild Member News

I want to extend a special thank you to the Straw Dog Writers Guild for sharing the news of my recent publication, “I’ll Always Be With You.”

The Member News shares: “Sarah Ritter recently published her tribute, I’ll Always Be With You. This illustrated book shows the bond between a mother and baby that begins the first time a mother holds her baby and promises that she will always be with her. Throughout the story, this mother repeats the promise to her daughter as she matures to a woman with a family of her own. This book is special to Sarah, because it honors her late mother and the impact that she continues to have on her growing family. I’ll Always Be With You, is illustrated by Fatima Zeeeshan, who also illustrated Sarah’s previous books, Dad, Won’t You Walk With Me? and So Many Great Books. All are available on Amazon as paperback and ebook. “

Publication news was also shared for Straw Dog Writers Guild members Chris O’Carroll, Maureen Groden, Patricia Lee Lewis, and Ellen Meeropol.

The mission of Straw Dog Writers Guild is to support the writing community by strengthening, engaging, and connecting writers at all levels of development.