𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 17 years ago, on March 17, 2005, I held my moms hand while she took her last breath. For 2 years, I watched her be a comforter, a leader, a provider, and a fighter of Stage 4 Colon Cancer. She was diagnosed with Colon Cancer at 43 years old. Someone asked me if the pain of her death would be easier to bare if I didn't watch her suffer, and she died from natural causes or was elderly. To be honest, I don't remember her "suffering" until towards the end of her life. You never know how you will feel until you are placed in that situation...but all I know is that my mom dying at 45 years old hurt like hell...still She was full of life and had so much life to live. We had life to live together and more memories to create. Now, I relish in the memories we created that carry me through life. One of the memories I will never forget is of her laying in her casket. My mom and I were two peas in a pod. I get mad at my daughters for not wanting to dress like me because my mom and I loved our mommy & me outfits and use to dress alike sometimes...even at her funeral (3rd pic). A day I wish I did not have to endure. It's those moments of "weakness" I do remember that keep me going. If my mom can fight for her life and push through the pain, why can't I, a healthy individual do the same...and that's why I keep moving forward even when I don't feel like it. I know she is watching over me, and I know I have to keep pushing for her and the legacy she created. My mom went to the doctor about her symptoms, but because she was not of age to get screened and appeared relatively healthy, her symptoms were dismissed as being something else. Don't take no for an answer! Colon cancer doesn't care about age, race, or gender. Some people may be at higher risk, BUTT nobody is invincible. Educate yourself, advocate for your health, and get screened! #DontMissTheMessage #ForYouMom #FelitasLove #ColonCancer #ColonCancerAwareness #ColonCancerSucks #Hearts4Blue #FromPaintoPurpose https://www.instagram.com/p/CbNGXx8ueHK/?utm_medium=tumblr