My Mother Is Brave

To my brave mom.

27 years ago you gave birth to me. Alone. Fatherless, and scared. You had no idea what you were getting yourself into.

7 years later, you made me a big sister to the most maddening person I know, my brother.

4 years ago you were diagnosed with lupus, and thought your life was over. We all knew you’ve been sick for sometime, but that illness never crossed our minds.

Fatigue

First with the fatigue, fluctuating weight loss and gain. Going days without leaving your bed. But I will never forget the day you had a stroke at work. Everything progressed so quickly, and it was scary.

Do you remember that day? We all went into the barber shop to be there when you had your head shaved. Fearing the worst, you already had signs of hair loss prior, but seeing the hurt in your eyes as each strand of hair fell to the ground. I could not take your pain from you, but I figured if you were going to lose something that day, so was I. I rushed to the chair after you got up and said “I’m next.”

Stress

You’ve got control over so much since that day. Dealing with not only your illness, but a high level stress job, handling your ill-mannered boss daily for giving you sh*t even though she could show a little more compassion for someone who comes in everyday in unbearable pain. To making sure we had a hot meal on the table every night.

With the weight of the world on your shoulders you handle it and with a smile. You are my brave mom.

It took years for your diagnosis but even before then, you were nothing less of a super mom.

My teacher

You taught me patience and understanding. You taught me love and kindness. Your life had not been easy raising two children on your own.

I do not blame you for our dads not being in our lives. I’m glad they weren’t.

YOU taught us how to be seize life. It was you who molded us into who we are today.

Your Bravery

Your lupus does not define you, don’t you EVER let it take away anything from you.

You beat your illness every single day you get up and air fills your lungs. As hard as it is to breathe sometimes, the world is so damn proud that you are doing it.

You have given me life in more ways than just one.

And you are my heaven on earth, you are my brave mom.

You. Are. Enough.