On Halloween evening, what should have been a somewhat joyous event turned out tragically horrible for me.

On Tues., Oct. 28, I dropped my daughter Sami off at home after coming back from Columbia for an appointment. My boyfriend Kenny and I helped her into bed. Since I had been with her so much, and through whatever this illness was, Sami ushered me out of the house. My daughter, being the sweetest young woman that she was, was making sure her mom took care of herself too.

I was reluctant, but she was persistent. I came home and figured the two days she had not contacted me was because she was giving me a break.

Yesterday evening, when I messaged her and realized it was not delivered, that told me her phone was dead and I should check on her. That’s when my world turned upside down. I found my 28-year-old daughter cold to the touch and not breathing.

Her health has always been rocky. The one thing none of us discussed, though, were ‘in case of’ or what if’s. Who thinks of a 28-year-old suddenly passing? It was always my fear. This is the very first time I am ever having to deal with a tragedy like this. We did not plan ahead and of course, we are not from a family of money. If I have to, my bills will go unpaid to make sure my daughter gets the best and what she deserves. I hate to ask for handouts, especially in the location I live in. So I hope the world has the compassion I want to believe it does. I cannot do all of this with our income alone and still survive ourselves. This was my last option. So thank you in advance and blessed be.