My Mommy Dearest.
First off - my mom is my biggest hero, and I look up to her and go to her constantly with literally all of my life crisis, poor woman. I have at least 3 every week. Gotta love anxiety and how it brings a family together!
Would you be surprised if I told you it wasn't always like that?
Dude. I. Was. THE. WORST Teenager. Like in the history of EVER.
I didn't want to hear anything from anyone, especially not my Mom. How could she know what she was talking about? She didn't live my life! (please sense the sarcasm here - but I truly felt that way before my frontal lobe was completely developed.)
Let me tell you about my Mom.
She is as tough as they come.
She used to send back permission slips and school papers edited and corrected in RED INK with grammar and spelling errors, as well as revisions to include responsibility back on the school if something were to happen. You know how they say we "won't hold the school liable, blah blah blah?" Yeah. She wasn't down with that.
One time, she made my teacher CRY while standing up for my busy schedule that made me miss a musical practice.
She is an advocate to her core. She advocates for her family and has been advocating for people with disabilities literally her whole life. She. Knows. Her. Shit. (didn't think I'd ever say that 15 years ago!!)
The funny thing is, Mom raised us to be strong-willed independent sassy beasts. Well, she got it!
It's been a little over a year since my Mommy kicked cancer's ASS. One Whole Year.
To be honest, when I was first told that my Mommy had uterine cancer, I literally couldn't believe it. It's like I was numb to it. I didn't WANT to feel any feelings about it. Shit, I was already piecing myself back together after our family trauma and mother-in-law's cancer diagnosis. I COULD NOT feel anything more without shattering all over again.
I did my best. That's all you can ever do. It was super scary. And I really did stifle any and all feelings I had to the very best of my ability. (Side Note - don't do this. It is SUPER unhealthy.)
Then came her surgery day to remove the cancer. The Bishop Warrior Women (Aunti Di, Boo, and Myself [and Mom]) all wore little warrior pins and prayed all day. For a safe surgery. For success. For zero cancer left EVER.
When it was over, it was like ACTUALLY over. THIS moment of relief after a successful surgery with full removal was the moment I was able to allow myself to feel. Relief. Love. Hope. Happiness. You name it!
I know that I wasn't the best growing up, but I'm sure glad I got to do it with my Mommy by my side. And even today, she is my very first go-to for all of my drama, or lack there of.
Buckle Up, Mommy Dearest. We have a lifetime of wine drinking, laughter, probs arguments, and frantic phone calls to look forward to.
CELEBRATING ONE YEAR cancer-free and ZERO cancer threats in sight.
With Love From,
Elise
