Looking back, as a young girl I never really seemed to care about where I lived, the clothes I wore, but most importantly I never realized how much my parents were able to provide for us. I have always been fortunate enough to be able to receive things that other children weren't able to have. Not until a few years ago, I had to face my mother's sickness to help me see that life isn't easy and nothing is given to you by hand. Working hard is the only option for success. My mother's sickness changed me completely, and not only gave me a lesson about life, but also gave me responsibility. .
One day about three years ago my mother called me on my cell phone while in class and told me, "Erika I'm going to the doctor, please tell your father to pick you from school." I didn't think much of it at first and said, "Okay then, I will" and I hung up. When I got home from school I ate, took a nap and did some homework. Moments later my father came into my room and told me, "I'm going to the hospital, your mother doesn't feel well." I just nodded my head and said, "okay." I was a bit worried at first, but I just thought my mother had a high fever and usually she fights them off and would be fine. My mother came home from the hospital at night, took her prescribed medicine, and slept through the whole night. .
For the next few weeks my mother became extremely ill. She would constantly check in and out the hospital. I didn't know what was happening to her exactly because I was so preoccupied with my last year of high school. I was applying to colleges, getting ready for prom, and doing many other senior events. I had so many things on my mind that I didn't think my own mother was slowly slipping away from me. My father decided he had to leave his job to be able to take care of my mother and the children. I realized things became more serious when I wouldn't see my mother for days.
