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A couple of years ago…ok, more like four years ago, I stared a series on this blog called 30 Questions. It was a random list of 30 Questions that you answered on your blog, some of them are just fun, some are serious, and some are just random. I love doing posts like this because it’s a really great way to get to know someone. Plus these days everyone thinks a blog post must be for a purpose- to sell you something, to teach a new recipe, to show you how to do something but my favorite posts to both read and write are the personal ones. So today, I am getting back on the 30 Question train and I am going to answer questions six. Because in true Ricci fashion even though I started this series four years ago I never finished it. Oops!!
You can check out the first five questions here.
Question 6: What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
Hands down the hardest thing I have ever experienced in my 33 years is my Mom dying. I don’t talk about that much on this blog but I think about her everyday.
When I was a freshman in high school my Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. I don’t remember the specifics but I don’t remember being scared. My Mom was 39 years old and in my mind she was invincible. I remember her having multiple surgeries and taking her to get her radiation and chemo treatments and my Neenee (grandmother) moving in with us so she could take care of both my Mom and all of use kids.
I remember being a senior in high school and going to see my Mom the morning after my senior prom. She was in the hospital and had been for months. She surprised us all when she got up and walked around the hall.
I remember her getting out of the hospital and coming home right before my high school graduation. I went to a tiny high school and so everyone knew about my Mom. They reserved my family front row seats at graduation so she would be able to see. She didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her so she refused to use a wheelchair and instead walked down the aisle on my Dad’s arm.
I remember her never really looking sick until right before she passed. She had really thick hair so even when she lost some of it she still had a full head. She never left the house without her makeup. She lost weight but never looked tiny and frail like some people do.
She passed away the summer after I graduated from high school and right before I went to college. Losing her and not being able to talk to her every day has been that hardest thing. I was truly a Mama’s girl and just thinking that she will never meet the man I will marry, or help me pick out a wedding dress, or hold my babies. She never saw me graduate from college, get my first big girl job, purchase my first house, and see the success I have had with this blog. And I have no idea why but I always want to cry when people tell me “your mom would be so proud of you!”
If you have ever lost parent then you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t then treasure each moment you have with them. Even if you disagree with them, they make you mad, or they tell you things you don’t want to hear. That means they love you and only want the best for you. At least that’s what my Mom always told me.
What is the hardest thing you have eve experienced??
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Thank you so much for sharing such a personal story. Losing a family member, especially a parent, is one of the toughest things anyone will ever go through.
Paula Schuck says
I just want to thank you so much for sharing this. I can’t imagine losing my mom, and I’ve had many more years with her than you were able to have. Even now, I’m not sure how I’ll get through her passing. Thoughts and prayers with you.
Carissa says
Thanks for sharing! My husband’s mom passed when he was 5 and he says its harder now than then because he wouldve loved for her to see his children abd meet me and just be there for his adult life events…So I guess it never gets easier you just learn how to deal through it! I think the hardest thing I have ever been through was losing one of my twins after going through an entire pregnancy of thinking they were perfectly healthy! Even though its been two years it’s hard as if it were yesterday!!
Christine says
I have lost an Aunt and an Uncle who basically helped raise me and one was from Cancer and the other was from Suicide and it was excruciating and one of the toughest things I have ever been through. I think that it’s taught me the importance of really loving and taking in moments with my family and friends. You’re never guaranteed a tomorrow and I cherish my time with everyone!
THESE are the posts that I love reading! Not that they are easy, but because they have meaning behind them!!!
Jeanette says
I am so sorry that you lost your mom at such a young age! It sounds like she was a great person. I think one of the hardest things I have gone through my life is losing a child. I had a miscarriage and it was very hard to go through.
Tasheena @ SimplyTasheena.com says
Great post! & Thanks for sharing your story. Both of my grandmothers passed at a young age. My maternal grandmother passed when I was a baby and my paternal grandmother passed when I was twenty. However, she was in the hospital all of my life. Growing up in life without a grandmother was difficult because I always wondered “what if”.
Joey Simmonds says
You now have a beautiful angel watching over. I am sure she would be very proud of what a great person you are.
lisa says
Thank you for sharing such personal information. Your mom obviously raised a wonderful woman and she will always be watching over you.
Jennifer Van Huss says
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story! Your mom sounds likes she was a beautiful woman inside and out! The hardest thing I had to deal with is the death of my grandmother! It was similar to your store about your mom. She had brain cancer and it took her fast.
McKenzie Allyshia says
I lost my father last December and it is still a struggle every single day. I can’t help but think of all of the memories that he is missing out on and how much I should have done different. It is so hard ♥
Nikki says
I think my hardest thing I experienced is when my parent tear apart and divorce. Yours was harder than mine.
Dogvills says
Losing someone you love so much can be the hardest thing to deal with. Thank you for sharing this very personal story with us.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother. The hardest thing I have ever had to go through was when my Husband passed away suddenly. It has been 5 years and it still seems like yesterday. It happened right as my Daughter was entering grade 9 and my Son was going into grade 10. I am so proud of how well my kids have done. My Son is in his last year of College and my Daughter just started University.
Kathy says
I’m very sorry about the loss of your mother. I’m glad you shared this story with us though. Losing a loved one is always so hard.
uprunforlife says
I lost my mom to Pick’s disease (rare form of Alzheimers) about 6 years ago. I still remember to this day when she was given 5 years. She outlived that but later passed from other health complications. She got really sick one day and she wasn’t given a good prognosis. She was aspirating and she would have been a vegetable basically. My dad had to honor her decision, she didn’t want to be on life support. So she was put on hospice. I felt so helpless. I too miss my mom dearly. She didn’t get to meet two of her grandson’s, she her granddaughter graduate from high school, and other memories.
Stephanie Pass says
I am so sorry for your mom. I can’t imagine losing a parent at such a young age. My hardest moment was leaving a very bad marriage and taking two small children and completely starting over after being a stay at home mom in a very controlling marriage.
Eloise says
sorry to hear about the mom, my grandfather passed away from colon cancer! my hardest moment has been the past 10 years of my life… from knowing my health was not good and constantly going to the doctors to find out why and they couldn’t figure it out until I had liver failure and almost lost my life. the recovery was hard too because I wasn’t able to care for my 2 kids for 6 months they had to live elsewhere. Not only was dying and trying to care for my 2 kids and take care of the home life, but I was married to an abusive man (who starting abusing my son the most!), So as soon as I was recovered enough, I got my things together, divorced him (as of this year it was finalized!), sold my home and me and my kids moved into my parents (where I reside today, starting my life over!) and that’s my hard times in a nutshell!
krystal says
It is always so hard to lose a parent. I hope that when the time comes it is peaceful.
Amanda says
I am oh so sorry for the loss of your dear mom. I lost my dad over six years ago and it still haunts me each and every day. Losing a parent is oh so difficult and my heart goes out to you.
Lynndee says
I’m sorry about your lost. I’ve lost a loved one too – my first husband; 10 years ago. I’ve moved on, but he will always be remembered.
Angela Harris says
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. The hardest thing I ever went thru is losing my mom , dad, brother and sister in the last 5 years. It’s been the hardest 5 years of my life.
Farrah Less G. says
Your a very brave person I cant imagine losing my parents. I am not ready yet I will trade all the material things in this world just to keep them healthy or at least slow down their aged. But I know only God knows till how long we can have them so cherish every moment we have with them. We are too busy with our life and we forget that they are growing old.
Rebecca Swenor says
The 30 questions is a great idea for a post and the I believe reads love know the person that they have been following. This is an awesome way to get to know someone. Losing a parent is a hard thing to deal with for anyone. I believe that the loss of a mother is more painful to most. Thanks for sharing your story and sharing your answer.
Gabriel says
The same as yours. My father died unexpectedly in a logging accident at the end of last summer and it really rocked me. He’s had health issues most of my life, so I think the fact it was from a tree (which we’ve cut down thousands of) was really what made it hard.
Amber Killmon says
I can’t imagine losing a parent but appreciate this post so very much. I love the 30 questions concept!
Nancy L. says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can tell from the photo that your mom was a warm and beautiful person inside and out. My mom will always say “There is no love like a mother’s love.” She lost her mom when she was 4 years old and doesn’t remember her. My mom said the first time she cried for her mom was when she had her first baby (my sister). It was then that she realized what a mother’s love was all about and felt the loss of her mother for the first time.
You were blessed to have had a close relationship with your mom. Treasure the memories you have with her and know that a mother’s love never dies.
CourtneyLynne says
Omg what a post!!! Thanks for sharing your story. I couldn’t imagine how tough it is to lose a parent :-/
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
Let’s just say there are so many they are all tying for first!
Let’s see here goes:
Losing my Dad, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother the SAME year
My mom’s first battle with Cancer (I can truly empathize)
Her second battle
Me recently battling Lung Cancer
I could keep going but I would probably just depress myself so I’ll stop there!