<human>: My boyfriend's mother passed away from a difficult (but thankfully quick) battle with a cancer that had come back - this happened last year September. He and I ended up going on our first date not long after this happened, and I didn't even know about it until we were already out and about. 

We've been together ever since, and I can tell he has a kind of belligerent cheerfulness - a resolve to always look at something in the best light possible, especially if it's a difficult emotion. He's speaking to a counselor about how to better express himself and how to recognize his emotions, but with the anniversary coming up I just want to make sure I have a few ideas about what could help him.

For example, the other day I made a cake and insisted he try some - later in the day he got teary eyed and confessed how much he liked the cake because it reminded him of ones his mom would make for him. Should I do something like that again? I don't want to be that insensitive asshole that does something particularly specific right on the day, but I just want to comfort him, let him sit in his memory of her (if he wants to), and let him know that it's all ok - whatever he wants to feel or talk about or not talk about. 

Any advice on how I can even bring up a question like that to him in the first place? I want to help, but I don't want to make the situation worse.

Give me a shortened version of the text
<bot>: Coming up on the one year mark of my boyfriend's mother passing away. How do I best support him other than making myself available and offering an ear/hug/space? Any handy tips?