Faith

27. Faith

When my mother was battling cancer, we often traveled from Richmond to Detroit to reconnect with family and share memories. On one of those visits, as I sat with her, she said, “Don’t worry about me—I know where I’m going.” She truly believed in a spiritual life after death.

I wish I had my mother’s faith, but I don’t.

What mattered most to her in those final months wasn’t herself—it was us. She worried about whether the seven of us siblings would stay connected as a family once she and my dad were no longer there to bring us together. That was who she was: always putting others first.

That her thoughts were about us, and not about her, says everything.

If I believe in anything, it’s this: the seven of us had the best mother in the world—ever.

Sorry to the rest of you… second place is as close as you’ll get.