When I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, my mom, Peggy, couldn’t handle it. I’m the youngest of her six children. She doesn’t say it out loud, but I know she wonders if she did something wrong. We lived upstairs from a dry cleaning shop when I was little. Was it the chemicals?
Right now, Peggy is helping her friend, Lee, who’s facing the end of her life. Cancer has taken over Lee’s body. I’m really proud of Peggy for stepping up and being there for Lee. I cried when she said, “I ask myself what would Trece do?”
Peggy listened to all of my stories and is using that first hand information to help Lee. She hasn’t said this, but I suspect this is her “do-over’ opportunity. She gets to be the mom without any guilt or judgment. She gets to grieve. Most importantly, love is present as Lee prepares to leave this world.
My wounds are healing too.
My mother has two children with cancer – news that would make anyone weak in the knees. She’s stronger now. She’s helping someone else’s daughter face the end of her life. Mom is an anchor for Lee. She’s paying forward for those who anchored me.
Isn’t life great?
Trece McLaughlin
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It is truly the circle of life. We are all connected.
Thanks for sharing this with us; it does make a difference when you see someone paying it forward…
Tragedy or upset is all around us. Compassion heals all things.