Addy Masterson ‘28
I sat down at that table and heard the words I now dread
“We have something to tell you.”
She’s fine, they said it will be okay
They said
But how will it be okay when I have to watch the person I love the most hurt that much
I will watch as her hair falls to the ground I will watch how she says she’s okay
But how will it be okay when I have to question every day is this is the last day I will see her or just another school day
How is Mom?
Is the new question I ask every time I need to fill the air
She’s tired
She’s tired
She’s tired Well I’m tired
I’m tired of living a life constantly questioning
Questioning if she’s really as strong as they say she is
But here we are almost to the finish line and she’s the strongest person I know
My whole life is now tied up with a shining crossed pink ribbon
The first half of my life was tied with a ribbon
Sending hearts in the mail to my uncle
And now it’s in my mailbox
The ribbon danced across my family tree
But I’m almost free
Free of the pain and worry
Free of the “It will be okay”
Free from the meals that show up every Tuesday and Thursday at six
But I will never be free
Free from the constant reminder that she had to go through that
How will I ever be free
When the ribbon is constantly shining and staring right in my face