On April 22, 2016, I received a call from my Dad while I was at work, and he said to me, “Your Mom didn’t make it.”

Instantly my legs buckled, and I dropped to my knees crying and screaming hysterically. My supervisor (at that time) rushed into my office and closed the door. Hysterical, shocked, and confused, I couldn’t speak. She took the phone from me and spoke with my Father.

Within minutes, I gathered my things, and she drove me home. During the hour drive home, I didn’t utter a word, the silence was what I needed to process it all. Every memory of her flooded my mind with a vengeance. Still dazed and confused, I asked God, “Why did you take her?” I needed an answer. I needed answers that could validate all of the countless questions that lingered inside.

My daughter was 3-months-old, and my mom was supposed to be here to see her grow up. I wasn’t ready for what was going to happen next. I didn’t want to accept it. I didn’t want to let her go. I wanted to believe I was in a bad dream, and it was just hard for me to wake up. But reality made no exceptions for me, or her. It was her time.

I wish I could say that I found peace and understanding quickly, but it was a journey of healing and acceptance that took time. If only I could’ve avoided the 5 Stages of Grief and Loss. Though losing a loved one is tough, her words of wisdom have stayed with me.

I’m grateful that she shaped my mind, set me straight when needed, showed me how to navigate the world and modeled what a wife and mother should be. She shaped me into the woman that I am today. And most importantly, she loved her family unconditionally, and she made sacrifices that I’ll never forget.

Here are words of wisdom from my mother that are forever imprinted on my heart.

“This too shall pass.”

“When you have a child someday, you will know the depth of my love for you.”

“Get an education, and no one can ever take that away from you.”

“Put your trust in God, and not man.”

“Don’t flock with fools.”

“Hard work never killed anybody.”

“Sometimes, if you want things done right, you have to do it yourself.”

“You can do anything you put your mind to, don’t let anyone tell you different.”

“Nothing good happens after midnight.”

“You weren’t raised in a barn, act like you have some sense.”

“Always respect your elders and address them as ma’am or sir.”

“If an adult walks into the room and there’s nowhere for them to sit, you get up and give them your seat.”

“Always look a person in the eye when they’re talking to you.”

“No one in this world owes you anything, get out there, work hard, and earn things yourself.”

What did your mom say that impacted your life?