Gloria was born on Feb. 18, 1949. In her life she touched many lives. None did she touch more then her three children, Julie, Benny, and me Michelle. she inspired me to try my best in everything I do.also left behind are 5 grandchildren.. and her brother and sister. As well as niceses and nephews

Mom taught drivers ed for 25 years. She loved history and had a deep faith in God. it been nearly three years without her and i still miss her voice.

This is an essey I wrote for a class.

My Journey with my Mother through her Cancer

            The word cancer can be frightening to hear, especially when it involves someone you love. Caring for a loved one with cancer can be heartbreaking, but it can also be rewarding. Take my own experience taking care of my mother. We spent so many nights we spent in the E.R, when she would get a fever. We would talk together while she had chemo. Her chemo could last for hours! Even though she was sick we still did all kinds of things together like go to the library or the thrift store. And in the end I had to tell her goodbye. In my life that was the hardest thing I have ever done.

            The first time Mom was diagnosed with cancer we were devastated. Mom got treatment and we thought that it was all over. Sadly, that was not the case. In 2005 it came back worse than ever. The doctors started chemo therapy. The treatments could last up to three or four hours.

This gave Mother and I time to talk. We would talk about anything and everything. Before Mom got sick we fought often, and had a very rocky relationship. When I started taking care of her I really got to know Mom during this time. We became best friends. No matter what we did we were together. Always together even when Mom was her most sick.

            I don’t think I can count all the nights we spent in the E.R. If Mom got a fever off we went. The most frightening experience was the one time that I was not there with her. I had a cold, not wanting to give it to her I stayed with my dad .While I was gone she passed out! Thankfully she had a doctor’s appointment that day, and made it safely to the doctor's office. She spent three days  in the hospital getting blood. After that I never left her side. There were times that I even stayed at the hospital with her.

            Even with all she was going through, Mom and I still did things together. We lived across the street from a library, and we went once a week. Everyone there knew us. We would read together. Sometimes I would read to her. Mom loved to go to thrift stores. There was one near us. We often went there after we went to the library. Mom always knew how to spot a good deal! Even though she was sick we still did things together. I miss that.

            In November 2005 she finished her last chemo treatment. We were so thankful that it was finally over. Sadly, in July of 2006 we were told that the cancer had returned and there was nothing that the doctors could do this time. Over the next few months my siblings and I spent as much time with her as we could. Mom and I made the choice to put her in a nursing home. She was there less than a week before she died. Letting go of my mother was the hardest thing I have ever done. On November, 16, 2006 Mom passed away. I was there by her side till the end. Never in my life has there been a moment where I felt as lost as when I realized that my mother was gone. I gained so much from this experience. It even helped me find what I would do with my life. I’m going in to nursing. Being the one who took care of Mom although devastating, is something that I believe has made me a stronger person. I am so happy to have had that time with her and even though she is gone her memory will always be with me.