About two weeks ago, I found my mom unconscious in her apartment after a sudden and severe medical emergency. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors worked to stabilize her. She remained there for about a week, but despite their efforts, she never regained consciousness and passed away one week ago. Losing her this way was unexpected and deeply traumatic, and it has left me struggling to make sense of everything while also navigating the reality of her passing.

Before her health declined, my mom was outspoken, confident, and deeply self driven. She approached life with determination and did not shy away from challenges. Once she set her mind on something, she committed to it fully. That strength and sense of purpose defined so much of who she was.

My relationship with my mom shaped me in ways I am only now beginning to fully understand. She taught me that we are lifelong learners, that perfection does not exist, and that growth comes from embracing our flaws rather than hiding from them. Because of her, I know who I am and I love who I am. The patience and passion I carry into my personal life and my career are a direct reflection of what she instilled in me.

Being her child from a distance was difficult because my mom was fiercely independent and strong willed. When she believed in something, she stood by it, even when others worried or disagreed. Because of this, watching her age was sometimes particularly hard, but I always respected her commitment to living life on her own terms.

The trauma I have endured over the last two weeks feels almost impossible to describe. There are moments when none of this feels real, followed by moments when it feels overwhelmingly real. I move between numbness and intense emotion. Some days I make myself physically sick trying to manage everything that needs to be done to lay her to rest. Other days I cannot find the energy to lift myself out of bed.

What hurts the most is that I truly did not see this coming. I always believed I would have the chance to take care of my mom one day, the way she took care of me. I thought I would be able to extend and enrich the final years of her life the same way she nurtured the beginning years of mine. Not having that opportunity has been heartbreaking.

Right now, the only thing I feel able to do for her is to make sure she is laid to rest with dignity and care. Unfortunately, I do not have the financial means to do that on my own. That is why I am creating this fundraiser. I am asking for support to help cover the immediate expenses related to laying my mom to rest and to bring a small sense of peace during an incredibly painful time.

Any support, whether through a donation or by sharing this page, means more than I can express. Thank you for reading, for caring, and for holding space for me as I navigate this loss.