I was 17. Brushing my teeth after getting dressed for Easter dinner at my grandma’s house. I was the only one home at the time, when my grandmother showed up and walked right outside of the open bathroom door and leaned against the wall opposite. I said “Hey! What’s up?” Since this was unusual. I spit out my toothpaste and rinsed out my mouth, and when I looked up at her she said “Your mother passed away.” It was the most sudden and soul crushing moment I’ve ever felt in my life.

My mom had cancer for around 10 years. Doctors always said it wasn’t life threatening, but things spiraled out of control. She had a stroke, and was in and out of the hospital for a few years. During this particular day, she was at the hospital for what I though was a routine visit, and my dad was there. My brother was already at Easter dinner. I had no worries that morning and was feeling optimistic, but when I got this sudden news all I could think was “I can’t believe this is happening.”