For They Are My Family

This past Christmas was different. My dad and I had to cook the Christmas dinner. My sister and I had to wrap all the gifts for our family. My mom was too busy taking care of mamother to help. My family and I spent most of Christmas and New Years in a hospital room waiting for her to get better, but she didn’t.

My mamother was sick for a very long time. She had lung cancer and soon after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a fighter but she couldn’t fight any longer. On Christmas Eve we found out that she had Acute Leukemia. It was all over her body and there wasn’t much the doctors could do for her. They said she had a few more months to live.

So she decided that she didn’t want any more blood transfusions and she wanted to go home. She died two weeks later.

My entire family and I were shocked that she died so fast. We all thought that we had a few more months with her. Being there for each other was becoming more apparent as the days went on. I finally saw how much I needed my family, and how much they needed me.

My mom took her death the hardest. She took care of my mamother and made sure that she was always okay. Those last few days were important to them. My mamother told me that she couldn’t thank my mom enough for taking care of her and being with her through everything.

I think my mom knows this which is why she wishes she could have done more. It’s hard to watch the strongest woman you know crumble down because she doesn’t want to deal with her mother’s death. But I knew that I had to be stronger. She just needed to know that I loved her. I don’t know what it’s like to burry your mom, so why do I try to understand?

When I couldn’t comfort her with hugs and kisses anymore, my dad stepped in. He would comfort her with words of love. Every day he told her that it will get easier and that mamother is in a better place now. Somehow he always knew exactly what to say to put her heart at ease. He made sure that my mom didn’t have any worries about the daily chores. He cooked, cleaned, and took care of the family. All the while still going to work. My dad showed me the true meaning of family love.

Trying to get over her death may take more time than we thought. We all still cry tears of sorrow but maybe one day we won’t cry anymore. Eventually my family and I will be stronger than before.

Every day I value my family. My family has made me stronger. Stronger to face each new day. Each new day I will be there for them. For they are my family.