However, as Billie noted, the grief “could and will change shapes multiple times throughout this day,” writing that “grief is never just one thing.”
“But right now I am relishing in this bittersweet grieful joy,” the Booksmart actress continued. “As my mom wisely said, ‘Nothing is ever really over. Just over there.’ My mombys life isnt really over. Just over there—in my kids and in this joy I’m able to experience because of her. Thank you momby. I will never stop missing you.”
In the almost decade since Carrie’s death, Billie has been open about her experience mourning her mother—an experience she is now grateful she gets to share with others.
“One of the most gratifying and important things that I get to do is talking about grief,” she recently told E! News, “because people don't talk about it enough.”
“Before I experienced it myself I didn't have that many people that I could refer to that went through something similar,” Billie added. “So, it feels like a really important thing for me to do, to talk about in an honest way, because it's so complicated.”
And while her mother was unable to be there to meet Billie’s children, she made sure that the Star Wars alum’s legacy lives on through her grandchildren.
“A year ago, I showed them [Return of the] Jedi for the first time, and they were a little bit confused,” Billie shared with E!. “They're like, ‘Wait, that's my grandma?’ Like, ‘No, that's Princess Leia, your grandma's Carrie, but that's Princess Leia.’ And they were just so enthralled. I sat behind them and cried while they watched it.”
She added, “It's like the ultimate high budget home movie. For me to get to have those things and to get to show them my mom in those movies is so special.”
For a look back at some of the sweetest moments Billie and Carrie shared, keep reading.
Billie posted this throwback photo on what would have been her mother's 61st birthday, 10 months after her death.
Billie posted this throwback photo on Mother's Day 2017, the first Mother's Day without Carrie.
Billie poses with her mom and grandma Debbie Reynolds at her high school graduation.
Billie and Carrie attend the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which stars them both.
Billie poses with her mom and grandma Debbie Reynolds at the annual event.
Billie poses with her mom at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 7th annual Governors Awards in 2015.
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Curated by Zara Khan
