She’s the strongest person I know
Today I thought about my Mom
She's lost more than most people know. She lost her family, she lost her marriage, and recently she lost her sister after an 8 year battle with cancer
People tell me "things will get better" and to "focus on positive things". I guess I can understand why they would say so but-
Sometimes I don't want to move past the feeling so quickly. For her.
Sometimes I just want to sit with the fact that someone I love is carrying a weight I will never fully understand. I'll never ever ever understand.
I'll never know exactly what it feels like to wake up every day with those losses and yet, she still gets up for work, she still gets by with her day
She still shows up for me.
And I don't really know how to help her.
Although I do know that everytime someone talks shit about her, something in me stirs. I'm ready to fight these people. Maybe because they only see or hear a moment of her life, while I've seen what she has gone through and the battles she has fought when no one was watching
I wish I could take some of that weight away from her.
For now, all I can do is continue to love her, listen to her and remind her that she's not alone in this life as she constantly feels
And I hope she finds genuine happiness in this life, there's more to it. She's the strongest person I know.
Reflecting on the immense weight that my mom carries daily has made me realize how often we overlook the quiet struggles of those closest to us. Her losses—losing her family, her marriage, and recently her sister after a long illness—are profound and shape the way she experiences the world. Yet, despite this, she continues to wake up and face each day with courage and determination, a testament to her resilience. What strikes me most is how society often urges people to "move on" and "focus on positive things," but grief is not something that can or should be rushed. Sitting with the pain and acknowledging the depth of loss is a crucial part of healing. I’ve learned that sometimes, simply being present and listening without judgment can be one of the most powerful ways to support someone who is grieving. It’s also important to understand that strength isn’t always visible. My mom’s battles often go unnoticed because they happen in moments when no one is watching. This made me realize that respect and empathy should be extended to everyone, as we can never fully comprehend what someone else is enduring. In my experience, loving someone through grief means standing alongside them through the ups and downs without trying to fix their emotions. It means reminding them they’re not alone even when they feel isolated. I hope others who are also supporting loved ones can find comfort in knowing that their presence and understanding make a meaningful difference. Finally, finding authentic happiness after loss is possible, even if it seems distant at first. It requires patience, kindness, and the gradual rebuilding of hope. Through sharing this, I want to honor my mom’s journey and inspire others to recognize the quiet strength in those they love, especially when they carry invisible burdens.
There's nothing a parent desires more than for their children to spend time with them or even just give them a call to chat of time pressures don't allow for more. Speaking from experience, we don't want to only start showing our grief and tears at their wake and be questioned either by observers as well as self, where were we when they were still alive and needed our presence. Awesome that you've shared your thoughts about your mum and I hope it will help more to better appreciate their parents.