“Some days, it feels like I am drowning, and some days I am able to tread water,” she told PEOPLE. “My whole family is putting in a lot of work in therapy and trying to heal as much as possible. My faith in the Lord has saved my life and helped me tremendously in my healing journey.”

At first the devastated mother found it difficult to look at the final picture of her little girl. 2 years on from her passing, though, Samantha came to realize that the image is a token of a beautiful life.

“I am so incredibly thankful to have that photo,” she told PEOPLE. “It captures the peaceful feeling of her last moments, the beauty she was surrounded by when she took her last breaths. I will forever picture her happy and carefree, picking flowers with her best friend and Meemaw.”

Rest in peace, Scarlett.