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I never idle. I move when moved.

I remember when the nurse from the clinic my mother visited called me right after I touched down in North Carolina – “she has cancerous cells…”

Her voice trailed off. Cancer?

I took a deep breath, respecting the confidentiality agreement. She told me what I could…it sounded severe.

“Sorry…” she said kindly.

My mother was refusing treatment. The months that led up to this moment were not insurmountable. It is her choice to make – however selfish it was.

She went on about race, her ridiculous and callous beliefs, challenging the beast like presence of an illness that has always haunted mankind.

And now, she succumbs to what she so ferociously believed would kill her. The cancer spread from her uterus to her lungs. My jaw dropped, my heart sank.

My brother is being placed in a new home. I now have full responsibility of everything to do with this household until her time has come. Whenever that may be.

And like when I first learned of her illness, I will continue working as much as I can. If I sit too still, I may as well perish with her.

Set aside your pride and acknowledge you may be bested. It will cost you nothing to lay down your arms. It will cost you your life betting the invisible morals of editing text against a relentless diseases such as cancer.