SOL7; illuminate mind, body, soul.

The photo below is one I contemplated to post or not to post. The truth is, I really wanted to blog about this moment in time. My mother always encouraged my writing and I base all my blogs off authentic, raw, truth. So my deepest apologies to those who feel this picture is just "too much." Please know that I mean no disrespect. At the time it was taken, we actually had no idea. A girlfriend of mine saw an opportunity to catch something...and she was right. My mother's favorite moments were those moments she got to catch Nicole and I simply being sisters. With an almost 7 year ago gap it was easy for my big sis to sometimes take on the role as another parental figure. But every so often, we would connect on the same level. Sisters. Today our personality differences list by the mile and our lives are Ying Yang, but the love that is there is very real and no matter what, we got each other's back. My mother would glow when she got to see those moments. It lit her

It was about 1am this past Friday, 11/10, that I hit the ground running. With a suitcase loaded-up car, I threw it in drive and hit I-95 solo. I drove through the night with nothing but my thoughts. Even though my heart was heavy, it was oddly comforting... I checked in with my Dad each pit-stop and even sent him my direct location. (Thank you Apple technology.) With every passing hour, I couldn't help but wonder, "would I make it?" The truth is...I didn't  want to. I did not want my mother holding on for me. I did not want her to suffer a second longer than she had too. And I do not believe my soul could handle seeing her in that condition. Over the last few months, we spoke about "that moment." Numerous times. My mother had a different kind of relationship with each person in her life. Ours was special. She was the only one who truly just, got me. Understood me. She knew me. She knew who I was and who I wasn't. And loved me unconditionally. She un

On Friday, November 10th 2017, my mother decided she had enough cancer and she set her soul free. The next 48 hours that followed have been a whirlwind of LOVE. Sadness was present, but love overtook it all...with strength sitting like a cherry on top and unity being the sprinkles. Last night, I took a seat next to my father and watched my sister step up - and I don't just mean to the front of the room. She was like a beautiful Phoenix. A natural leader and forever an inspiration to me, my sister stood at the podium and spoke...... This is the eulogy she wrote, read, and truly blessed us with. With a proud heart I share it with you all: "My mom~ ​Less than six months ago, my mother walked into my house, ushered me into my backyard and with tears in her eyes, we sat down. I knew what she was going to say before she uttered a word… I just wanted to freeze time… to stop the awful news from coming but I couldn’t and she whispered to me that she had cancer. And we cried and