In early 2025, I was in New Orleans when I saw I had a missed call from my dad. My mom was in the hospital because of her low sodium levels. She was unable to eat or take any medication without throwing up. Looking out my window, the lights of Bourbon Street shined bright. Despite the news, I still told myself everything would be okay. My mom’s presence has always been the brightest light in my life. How could it be dimmed? How could the most healthy, faithful to God woman I know be suffering from cancer? When I got home, I went straight to the hospital to see her. I can remember every little moment, from where I parked, the elevator ride up, and exactly what that hospital looked like. When I walked in the room, it was like a switch had been turned off. I did not recognize her. She didn’t have her beautiful, glowing smile. She could barely move or talk. My beautiful mother was diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer on March 6th, 2024. Throughout different treatments and clinical trials, I never would have thought she would pass away from this. I kept a bright hope that everything would be okay and that she would be healed. I didn't even want to look up the survival rate of the cancer because no part of me could believe that she would not be with me. It wasn't until I was standing in our kitchen when my dad told me the cancer is terminal that my light of hope shut off. My Mom was the best mom I could have ever asked for. She was so beautiful, inside and out. She shined the Lord's light bright, and no matter who you were, she made you feel loved. Recently, I picked something up from the dry cleaners and asked the lady if she knew my mom. Her face lit up instantly and she explained, “Yes! I still use the card holder she gave me for Christmas years ago!” She never put herself first. When she knew she was getting close to passing away, she didn't ask people to pray for her; she only asked for them to pray for her family. Throughout her struggle, she never complained and still did everything she always did for us, like cooking her delicious meals nightly, until she physically couldn't. My Mom had a genuine, caring glow and a desire to light up the lives of others. My mom peacefully passed away on February 10, 2025. Cancer has impacted me because it has made me learn that nothing in life is promised. You never truly know how grateful you are or how much you love someone until they are gone and you can’t get them back. Since my mom passed away, I have matured significantly. It’s like a switch was turned on for me. I’ve made a conscious choice to give my best effort in my classes, business, and lacrosse. The final thing I said to my mom was, "I'm going to make you so proud”. The biggest thing that has changed with me is my faith. My mom lived her life with unwavering faith and showed me how to live like a good Christian. I strive to be obedient like her with the Lord. I thought that the light my mom shined in my life was gone forever that night she passed away, but now I know it's not. That bright light is inside of her and me, and is eternal.