James Van Der Beek remembers Mom Melinda on her first death anniversary

Actor James Van Der Beek remembered his mother Melinda as her death marked one year round the calendar. James’ matriarch died at 70.

The Dawson’s Creek alum took to his official IG handle to commemorate the occasion and pen down a heartfelt note to pay a tribute to his mother. James began the note by explaining the stages of grief he went through when he learned he won’t be seeing the first woman he loved ever again.

"One year ago today you dropped the body that had been causing you so much grief... the body that brought me into this world," Van Der Beek wrote to Melinda. "My first reaction was that of relief - as if I'd known you'd had a tough journey ahead and just gotten word that you'd already arrived safely."

James also mentioned how his five children "really miss" their late grandmother even after a whole year and that they “still talk about it often, and at the most random of moments.”

The 44-year-old further touched on how he has been processing his feelings and sorrow over the year. James mentioned that his views on life and the afterlife have changed after losing his mother.

"I thought I had a neat little expectation of what happens when loved ones cross over - how they communicate from the other side. Now I think I know less," he explained.

Melinda was a professional dancer and gymnastics teacher. James posted a blurry picture of her dancing elegantly and reflected over the fact that she looked "so happy and free."

"I've read so many heartfelt letters from your students gushing about the impact that Miss Melinda had on their lives, on their kids lives... It's made me proud and inspired to hear the depth and scope of your impact when you walked this earth," he wrote. "But I also feel a version of you out there that's both young... and ancient. Playful, and powerful. Creative and wise. And I feel like we're just getting to know each other."