Legacy

I'm experiencing a very challenging period of my life. I am a new mom, and I'm caring for my mother who has dementia. Sometimes she's my mom, and sometimes she's my toddler.

It feels like I've climbed a mountain every time I leave the house with Ayomi for a scheduled activity. This morning started off rockier than usual. Not only did I have to dress myself and Ayomi, I had to make sure my mom was dressed too. It was a struggle, but we made it to the event (later than planned). 

More than 20 years ago, my mom founded Pretty N Pink, a Breast Cancer Support organization focused on bringing awareness and support to black women in southern Dallas. She started by hosting a gathering of about 20 people in 2002. Today, there were over 200 people gathered in a ballroom for Pretty N Pink's annual fundraising breakfast. At one point, I looked around the room at all those people, and I felt very emotional. They were there because my mom created this organization when she wanted to do something to support her friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 2 decades ago. The pride that I felt was juxtaposed by the frustration that I felt earlier. Such is life. 


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