"Don't Give Up," Said Mom

Christina Black's mother has cancer and her father, well, he's vanished. What will she do without her mother, where will she go when she dies and how will she cope? A tale for those who are suffering or have suffered loss. A Note from the Author: When I was 12, a friend invited me to her house. The home was dark and the floor had piles of books and laundry scattered about like land minds. I thought, “what in the world?!” “Want to meet my mom?” she asked. Okay. There, in the dark room, a woman lay in a hospital bed. She had a bed pan next to her and several pills lined a TV tray. I never forgot the emptiness I felt or the empathy gained for my friend. This is the story I penned that very night when I came home [and continued writing for the following two years]. I’ve left the emotions and rawness intentionally. I want it forever remembered in honor of my friend and her mother…