Living life after losing someone you love My mom says “Live life to the fullest!” She has impacted me by teaching me how to live my life to the fullest and something important in life and it was a reference to how when you're stressed out, take a small break along with the aid of being calm. She has always helped me when I needed it, specifically when I didn’t know how to do something, then I would stress out with regard to it. My mom would sit down with me while I was doing my homework and she would help as much as she could. . She understood that I always had a hard time with homework prior to her passing away in 2018. She would help me with the aid of not stressing out, but now my dad has to play both parents. I usually get pressured easily and she was the only person I would talk to if I was stressed, however now I don’t really have anyone to talk to in reference to what I am worried about. What my mom has taught me with regard to stress is that sometimes things don’t come easy. My mom has shaped my personality to include being friendly and kind to others. My mom would always tell me to be kind to someone even if they are mean or don’t want to be my friend. If my mom were still here, she would keep me from being stressed out all of the time considering having to do things more on my own. She taught kids with special needs at Morton High School, so if she were still here, then she could help me with my accommodations, whereas I wouldn’t have to worry about asking for help from anybody. I probably would have learned how to do things better on my own. If I had ten more years with my mom, I would not be as stressed out now as I am. My mom has made a significant impact on how I learn. The one thing I remember being taught was to make sure my things were turned in on time and that they were at their best work. When I was younger I was taught to be social to people and I was always hanging out with my mom and her friends whenever I could. My mom would allow me to come with her if she went to meet with one of her friends or with my neighbors. She got me to get used to talking to strangers, so that I would be used to talking to others with no problem. My mom also got me to learn how to show respect to others even if they have been rude. Then she taught me how to take care of her as she got weaker from stage 4 cancer. When she started to get weaker, she still helped me with homework and chores then eventually it turned into my deepest darkest day. A couple weeks after my birthday on 9/11, my mom passed away and it took me forever to process what happened with her. Eventually after that, I had to start taking care of myself and my sister due to my dad having to be at work all of the time. My mom is up in heaven right now looking at me and saying that I have become a great woman and I will continue being the positive person I always have been. Thanks to my mom for being there when I really needed it.

Have you ever had a parent who had cancer? I did and it was horrible. My mom started to have cancer when I was about 4 years old. I didn't know when she had it, but I went to this mental health group to learn about cancer. I wasn't too happy knowing the outcome. My mom passed away in 2018 right before covid. I was really scared and sad, but I knew god would make sure that my sister and I would be taken care of. Since then, my neighbors have taken care of me and I have become a nice person just as my mom would want me to be. She would always think that being happy even in the darkest times will make you feel better. Sometimes things are hard to deal with. I know dealing with my moms cancer wasn't very easy and I had a hard time processing what was going on. My mom had her friends over one time and they were all talking, then they called 911 and I got scared. I have a processing disorder and it takes me a while to understand what is going on. All I saw was a ambulance outside. I was curious so I watched outside to see what was going on, then I saw my mom. She went to the hospital later that day and then she spent a couple months in the hospital. I was happy when I got to see her, but I couldn't touch her because she had a contagious infection and I was stressing out. All I ever did was stress out when I was younger and she was the one that got me through it. She taught me how to breathe in and out while dealing with stress. She was also a teacher who helped me with homework when she could, then she started getting weaker. She had a wheelchair for a while, but then she didn't need it anymore. She is now up in heaven. I miss my mom and I wish she would come back. The only thing I have from her is a stuffed bear made out of her pjs so I can sleep with it every night. I also can't sleep without it or I won't sleep at all and then have night terrors. I say thank you to my mom for always being there even if cancer was taking her down. :)