My strength key came to me in November 2014. It has been on a journey with several people already and was given to me by my brother’s girlfriend, Heather. Her father had just passed away. I wore my key necklace everyday. People would ask me, “What is that necklace about?” I would respond, “It’s the key to strength. I need it right now.” And, I did need it. My mom had brain cancer for almost two years. I thank God because she surpassed everything the doctors said. In the last month of her life, the meaning behind the key kept me going. It gave me strength that I cannot explain today because I don’t know how I did it. I wanted to keep my necklace forever.
On January 4, 2015, I clenched my necklace as I said goodbye to my mom. I told myself, “I can do this. I am strong.” The following hours, days, and weeks were a whirlwind of emotions. My heart was broken and I felt numb, but I somehow got through it. You don’t expect your mom, or dad, to pass away when you are 26 or 27. You expect that they get to be there on your wedding day, when you buy a house, and have your first child. I prayed that this would not happened to anyone else. It was the hardest thing that I have ever gone through in my life, and probably will ever go through.
This past weekend, I learned that a dear friend of mine, Michelle, had lost her father. Flashbacks came back into my mind of what I went through. I hoped that she didn’t feel the pain that I felt, but I know that would be impossible. When you lose someone you love so much, it is impossible to not feel that pain. Instantly knew it was time. It was time to pass on my key of strength. I’m okay now--- she needs it. It’s time for my key’s journey to continue on…
May this story be ,“To be continued…” as I know Michelle will one day pass it on to someone else in need of inner strength.
