A Candle In the Wind for my Mom Cherylene Wright

Saying goodbye to Cherylene Wright

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Lisa, and the beautiful lady in the photos with me is my amazing Mother, Cherylene Wright (also know as "Sis"). My mom was a fighter and even after she got sick she fought up until the very end. Sadly, on January 4th with me by her side, we listened to Purple Rain & Candle in the Wind and at 11:05 a.m I held my Mom's hand in mine while she took her final breaths and I slowly watched her fade away. In that moment I knew a part of me left with her and that I would never ever be the same again. My heart was forever broken.

 

Building a future and being there for others even in times of grief

After enduring truama at a young age and the subsequent death of her Father and closest Brother, my Mom quit school to stay home and help her Mom care for her younger brothers who she adored & loved very much. The house was full with all her siblings and it was already hard keeping food on the table. So when my Mom got a little older and had me she had to move out on her own. She was a young single Mom with no where to live and a baby to feed and take care of. She knew she had to put a roof over our head & food on the table and she decided to go back to school to get a career so she could raise me. So she moved in with relatives who helped watch and care for me while she worked during the day and studied for her GED at night. After that she was able to save enough money to go to night school to get a nursing degree. Unfortunately, this meant more time away from home and missing out on those cherished moments that we all hold so dear as our children grow. She was a single Mom and she made sacrifices to be able to give me the life that I needed and I'm forever greatful. She worked at a factory during the day, took the EL downtown at night for school and studied on her free time all while trying to care for and spend time with me. Finally, in time she got her degree and became a CNA.

 

Working to live and loving it

She's the hardest working person I know and she enjoyed caring for the elderly. My Mom loved hearing their life stories and when everyone else wanted off during weekends and holidays, she was the first person to go in. She always felt bad for her patients since many of them were elderly and didn't have loved ones to visit them. Although she loved what she did, the truth is they didn't offer any benefits and she barely made enough to make ends meet. Sadly, she got sick young and after working all those years  putting in her time she unfortunately got sick and was unable to work. She was just shy of retirement when she passed.

 

Endurance to Resilience

My Mom's life was a constant battle and she craved someone to share in her struggles and wipe her tears away when she was sad. Someone who couldn't wait to see her when they came home at the end of the day and someone to celebrate her successes with. Instead she was always either escaping abusive relationships, or having none at all because they left when finding out she had a baby at home. She met others and was with someone for years but by then life had taken its toll and things just didn't work out. She was filled with sorrow & loneliness, shattered by the heartbreak of being abandoned; feeling unwanted and she was bruised by life. She gave the world so much more then it ever gave to her, and she did it without ever complaining. She's the bravest, strongest, most resilient person I know and my Mom is what true warriors are made of.

 

Making it all worth it in the end

She's been by my side everyday since the day I was born and she's been a part of my Son's life since the day he was born,helping every step of the way. I loved having her as my Mom and she was the best Nana my Son could ask for and I'm greatful for memories our family has with her. She always told me how proud she was of me and how proud she was to have me as her daughter. I hope that she knew how proud I was of her and that I too was proud to have her as my Mother.  If only I could be half the person she was and half the Mother to my Son as she was to me.

 

 Saying goodbye

I know for all her sacrifice, all her forgiveness and all her honor and strength... she's finally at rest no longer suffering being tethered to a machine and she's at last getting the unconditional love she spent her whole life searching for.  It brings me comfort in knowing that she's with her father and brothers and I'm certain she's earned her wings and has a seat right next to the big man upstairs.

You can help just by leaving a memory you've shared with my Mom 
I need you're help keeping my Mom's memory alive. Please help by sharing a memory or two that you have with my Mom whether its from childhood, school, family holidays or even if you knew her through work... it doesn't matter how small you think it is because every moment is a cherished memory. They can be funny, sweet, sad or just a moment passing time. With you're help I'll create a memory book in her name to pass down to my Son. Just share who you are, how you knew her and the memory please. Don't forget to say when it's from and please include any pictures you have with/of  her!

Funeral Expenses & Medical Bills

More then anything I want to give her the beautiful funeral she deserves and with you're help it'll be the last thing I'll ever get to do for my Mom.  All  funds donated are appreciated and will go to the Krzak family to help pay for her funeral expenses and leftover medical bills (ambulance, hospital, hospice, nursing, e.t.c) 

 

Thank you for reading my about my Mom, Cherylene Wright and her untold life story of struggle, bravery and preserverence.

 

Mama, May you rest in peace with Grandpa, Uncle Donnie and Uncle Jay. You'll be in my heart every single day until I can hear your loving voice say my name again.