Today, my mother has made another round around the sun and our bond is much deeper than it has ever been. There has been many changes in our lives in nearly a year and many days a week it has been my mother and I in the car, building a stronger and better bond with each other not only out of necessity, but also because we know that we deserve to as she gets older.

Last May changed many lives in our family as my father had a severe injury that has disabled him severely. It has been visiting hospitals and nursing homes and many, many struggles along the way, including those of my own because I just couldn’t stop testing the waters with my medication until I learned the hard way late last year the necessity of doing so by knowing how difficult life is without all of it. I also know now that I need it only for me, but also to be strong for her and everyone else that expect for me in the world. Unbelievably, she can still sense when it comes to not knowing whether or not I am taking care of myself and I am grateful for her keeping me in check constantly.

The past year has brought many changes for me and her alike, but we keep going because in this world, we know one thing, and that is we never give up. Life has been challenging for all of us, but I know that she needs me now more than ever and that is something that I do not take for granted because I value the many times we meet and the things that we do together.

She is my biggest supporter and my confidant. She helps me see the reality of things when my brain will not allow me to see the clarity of the situation that I am facing that I need to see when my anxiety  wants me to run away to me. She takes me to most of my therapy and doctor appointments because she knows that I need to have that in my life on top of the million and a half other things that  she needs to do, but I also help her process the things that she cannot and offer her a listening ear along  with always making self-care for both of us a priority.

This past year has shown me that life can change in an instant and bring you things that you never expect to happen. I continue to keep my spirits up because it is what my mother would want  me to do regardless of what is going on in the world. She was there for me when I really needed her at my darkest moment, it nearly drove her to her wit’s end. Now is the time that I am there for her, no matter what it takes, she always has my interests and need to care for myself at heart and I have the same for her. It is moving forward in 2025 with a better mindset while fighting for what is needed despite the many roadblocks that seem to cross our paths, never giving up and being strong for each other is what keeps us doing what is needed to keep us strong as a family.