13-years-old,
Laying in bed,
My Mother lay on the floor.
She held my hand and told me all will be ok.
I had swine flu.
Earlier that day, I had become a “woman”.
My first time bleeding
And I thought I was dying –
But, it was ok.
It would always be ok.
I had my Mother.

My Mother,
Seemingly untouchable,
Undying,
Immortal,
Everlasting.

I am feeling 22 –
Fresh out of college,
Full-time job
and suddenly,
I am faced with my Mother’s mortality.
Breast Cancer became our reality.

Oh, how the tables have turned.
I quit my job;
Got another working from home;
Studied to go to business school;
And I became the caretaker for my Mother.

I held her hand when she was scared and sick.  

Throughout surgery, chemo, and radiation —
I was there throughout it all.

I supported;
I learned;
I grew stronger;
I grew up. 

Life is about people —
Not things or money. 
If there is a purpose,
Relationships are at the core
And love the water necessary to survive.

I had to go through it.
We had to go through it.
No matter what,
I believe 
We are never,
Ever,
Given more than we can handle.