Day 102 of

August 29th marked 102 days... and while I am very late providing an update, I wasn't quite ready...

Marissa Gonzalez at her aunt's hospital bedside.On day 45 I had updated you all on my life since June 1, the day I arrived to New Jersey... but Day 1 was truly 5/18/23, the day my aunt was hospitalized where she would undergo a stem cell transplant, the last course of treatment to heal her from Leukemia.

It is with pain in my heart, confusion in my mind, and tears in my eyes that I share my Aunt has gone home with the Lord. August 29th, day 102 of being hospital-bound, she took her last breath. Death is inevitable, and no matter how much you prepare or anticipate it, it's not easy. I find peace in knowing that she knew she wasn't alone, that she was loved and that we so desperately, as she did, wished she had made it to Florida to begin a new chapter of life.

Grief presents itself in many different forms, and I've barely begun to feel them, as my mother and I are still in NJ, now having to situate all of her things left here. The homegoing service, we did that alone. No help from family... This whole process has shown me that no matter how you do for people, you can't expect you from them... a harsh reality when life and death are involved...

Harsh reality #2: expectations lead to disappointment. The people I expected to show up did not. It was my chosen family who stepped in as best as they could, from hundreds and thousands of miles away. Long hospital days, hours spent at the laundromat, hundreds of dollars spent on eating out because who wants to cook after being at a hospital 12+ hours. Physically, mentally and emotionally drained don't even begin to scratch the surface... and yet through this pain, this agonizing hurt, we would do it all again... So that when those she expected to show up didn't, she knew we were there and that she was loved and just how much we wish the outcome was different......

Marissa's hand holding her aunt's hand.Remember this...
People matter, things don't.

When your time comes to an end, you won't be remembered for the things you collected, but the people you impacted, loved and cherished.

Until we meet again Titi. Madrina, te quiero mucho... Bendición

 

      

Tags: 

like1

Blog themes: 

admin's picture

Members of The Well Project community at USCHA 2022.

Become a Member

Join our community and become a member to find support and connect to other women living with HIV.

Join now >

Do you get our newsletter?

admin's picture
¿Recibe nuestro boletín?

Sign up for our monthly Newsletter and get the latest info in your inbox.

Suscríbase a nuestro boletín mensual y reciba la información más reciente en su bandeja de entrada.

Welcome to The Well Project’s website! Feel free to look around, though please note that some features of our website may be down until November 29, 2023, while we make improvements. If you have questions or need support, please email our team.

banner

Browse Blogs by Theme

Welcome to The Well Project’s website! Feel free to look around, though please note that some features of our website may be down until November 29, 2023, while we make improvements. If you have questions or need support, please email our team.