TLDR my mom died and I love her very much.
Her memorial service will take place at first Christian Church in Anchorage, Alaska at 3PM on the 25th of March, and the “afters” or wake will be at Turnagain Brewing at around 5-6.
My incredible mom moved on today, in the wee hours of the morning in our family home. She declined extremely quickly after deciding to stop treatment for metastatic breast cancer a few weeks ago. It had been five years of her diagnosis, most of them she wasn’t actively sick. She had become very ill and it was her time. She was not scared to die, and had spent years preparing herself and those around her for her passing, including quite literally planning her own memorial months ago. She told my family and the community she built exactly what to do with her body.
She was incredibly tenacious, unapologetic, fiercely dedicated to everything she loved, and she loved a lot. She was never one to compromise what she wanted. She gave herself fully into every project and endeavor. She was the first person in her family to get a degree (an MD even) after coming from a background of poverty and abuse. She was the cycle breaker. She spent the past 10 years healing herself, which effectively saved our relationship allowed her to live out the rest of her life in joy and connection.
She raised me to be empathetic and kind, and never ever give up that part of my soul. She allowed me to be a freak, taking curiosity and delight in my weirdness. She supported every big decision I made, even when they were obviously dangerous choices that would result in a LOT of pain. She let me give up on ambition and achievement in pursuit of being myself as much as I can.
She put her life’s work into sharing her love with the world and finding peace. I have never met someone so in love with her family, and so intent on being in love with the world, and what is beyond it. She died not wanting for anything, completely fulfilled.
I am in so much gratitude for her and her years on this earth. She will be sorely missed by so many people. She was extremely loved.
