17/11/2023
I had the honor of spending the last few weeks by my momâs side. After a 6 year battle with leukemia, she made one of the most difficult decisions any of us could ever make. She decided to stop her treatment. The clinical trial she was on (her 3rd) didnât seem to be working and she was tired of being admitted to the hospital week after week for infection after infection. Tired of the never ending trips to the hospital for infusions. Tired of feeling so so tired.
She made her choice â had her pic line removed, got one more big bag of platelets and headed home.
We met her there. I booked one-way plane tickets for my daughters and me. My siblings did the same.
We were all hoping for the âweeksâ weâd heard mentioned and not the âdays.â Hoping to leave nothing unsaid. Hoping to laugh one more time. Walk one more time. Hold each otherâs hands one more time.
My girls and I arrived on a Sunday. On Monday, we went for a 20 minute walk in the sun. On Tuesday, we shared a big family meal and blew up air mattresses as more siblings arrived. On Wednesday, we joked and giggled our way through a fantastically terrible holiday movie. By Thursday, weâd become full-time caregivers â knowing we were now doing for our mom what she had once done for us. We recognized the great great privilege in this. On Friday morning with my voice cracking, I read my mom part of the eulogy sheâd asked me to write. By Friday night, having seen all 7 of her children that day, and surrounded by so so much love, she took her last breath.
Iâm heartbroken.
And writing this here because Third Monday in April was a shared love for my mom and me. In fact, the stories of her early running days are a huge reason Third Monday in April exists. Sure, she proofread copy and modeled clothes, but most importantly, she believed. Starting your own brand is really quite silly. But she simply asked, âWhy not? You have a story to tell.â
Actually mom, we have a story to tell.
All my love âĽď¸, Amie
