Taking on the role of caring for my mom has been one of the greatest honors of my life, but also one of the hardest. She has spent her entire life loving, supporting, and taking care of me, and now it’s my turn to be there for her. She has been through so many trying times, yet she has always come out stronger on the other side. She has taught me so much about resilience, love, and what it means to keep going even when life feels overwhelming. Through everything, she has always been there for me. My mom has worked hard her entire life and has shown incredible strength, surviving not one but two strokes and pancreatic cancer—never letting any of it keep her down. She finds peace in the quietness of country life and especially in the beauty of Maine, where simple, calm moments bring her joy. She is a fighter through and through, and even now, she still has her spunky spirit—loving to tell me what to do and keeping that spark that makes her who she is. Watching someone you love so deeply go through ongoing medical and health challenges is something you can never fully prepare for. It has been emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting to witness her gradual decline. At times, it feels like medically she is seen as just another elderly patient nearing the end, but to me, she is my mom—my whole world—and I will do anything to make sure she is happy, comfortable, and cared for with dignity every single day. I am grateful beyond words that she is still here with me.

As her sole caregiver, I have done everything I can to manage on my own, but we’ve reached a point where we truly need help. Balancing her care with work has made it impossible to take on additional income, even though the expenses continue to grow. I am incredibly thankful for my understanding and supportive work family who has been there for me when unexpected situations arise. If you are able to give, please know that any amount—no matter how small—means more than I can express. Your kindness and support will help ease this burden and allow me to continue giving my mom the care and dignity she deserves. I also want to be honest in saying that this is not something that comes easily to me. Anyone who truly knows me knows that I don’t ask for help—I’ve always been the one to figure things out on my own, no matter the cost to me. That kind of fierce independence and stubbornness comes from a long line of strong women before me. So creating this and opening myself up like this is a really big step. But right now, my focus is making sure my mom has everything she needs to be comfortable, cared for, and surrounded by love, and I’m learning that sometimes strength also means allowing others to help carry the weight. If you are not in a position to give financially, I completely understand and ask that you keep my mom in your thoughts and prayers. Your prayers, encouragement, and support mean just as much to us during this difficult time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read our story and for standing with us in any way you can.