Until We Meet Again

On November 23, 2010 I lost one my very best friends, my mom.  On July 15, 2009 I had just left work to go to lunch and got the phone call from my dad that mom wasn't doing well and that they had found cancer in her liver.  I immediately pulled over and broke into tears, called Marc and then each of my sisters.  We didn't know much then, but I knew my life would never be the same.  I immediately went to the hospital to see her when she got out of her biopsy.  We hugged and balled for several days, and I made her promise she would do everything she could to fight this because I knew life without her would be unbearable.  She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and the next 16 months had it ups and downs.  Mom did everything she could, and went through some very hard chemo and many days in bed so that she could buy some time with her family. 

Thanks to my amazing husband, I had the opportunity to be with my mom almost everyday since she was diagnosed.  I will never forget that time spent with my mom, and will cherish it forever.  Mom and I have always been close, but the last year of her life we became incredibly close.  We talked about anything and everything.  Mom understood me, and I understood her...we were a lot alike.  I talked to her about death and life without her, and she would always just reassure me that everything would be okay.  She had an amazing amount of faith and never once complained about her situation.  She was worried about leaving her kids behind and was sad about missing important events in our lives.  She never let the worrying go too far though, because she had complete trust in the Lord and knew that it was in his hands. 

At the beginning of November we were told that mom had 3-6 months left, but things got worse fast and on November 15th, we were told she had two to four weeks.  I spent every second that I could with her in her last week.  I laid by her in bed and held her hand, and had our last few meaningful conversations and some good laughs.  On Monday night my little brother flew in from his mission in Arizona and we had one last night together as a family.  We each had the opportunity to say our goodbyes to mom, and even though she hadn't been coherent for nearly 24 hours, she used every bit of energy she had to tell me she loved me one last time. 

We have been surrounded by so many great friends and family who have lightened the burden.  I have been overwhelmed at seeing the love and support from so many people.  At one point I think we had about 20 loaves of homemade bread in our freezer, along with many meals and an amazing amount of cards and flowers.  Although it has been extremely hard losing my mom younger than expected, and I know there are still hard times ahead, it has been amazing to feel the comfort of the Holy Ghost in those hard times.  I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have of the gospel.  Mom's love for the Lord has blessed the lives of many including mine.  I miss that lady more than ever, but know I will be with her again.  Love you Mom!