Molly's Awakening...

Tragedy Strikes ...

Mom!! Mommy!!,Calling her mother, Molly Rawson could hardly contain her excitement.

Long dark hair, crystal blue eyes, fair skin, and well built. Molly was a gorgeous girl. She was the spitting image of her mother.

18 years old and full of life and energy.

Running up the stairs in search of her mother, Molly was getting impatient at her mother's lack of response to her calls. She busted into her mom's bedroom, babbling without pause.

Molly's mom looked up at her daughter from the book she was lost in.

She smiled, and at 48 years old, she was still a gorgeous woman.

"Slow down, Molly!" she laughed, looking at her babbling daughter. "I can't understand a word of what you are saying! Breathe honey!"...

Molly stopped her rambling and inhaled deeply,

"Sorry, Mom! I am just so excited! It finally happened!! I was chosen to attend the VIP camp this summer for the musically gifted artists!!!" Molly said without a pause again. Her face glows with health, vibrancy, and youth.

"OH Molly!!! I am so proud of you, my darling!!! I knew you would be chosen! You are an amazing guitarist and singer, baby!"

Molly smiles happily at her beautiful mother. "Wow, she really is pretty," Molly thought as she watched her mother looking at her nearly bursting with pride.

Molly's father died when she was only two years old. Her mom has been her mother,friend,confidant,and much more all her life.

She raised Molly by herself and never looked at another man since her husband's passing. She was a nurse at a huge hospital and worked long hours. She never complained and gave Molly everything she could to the best of her ability.

"Thank you!" Molly leaned forward and hugged her mom.

Finally the date of departure for the elite, invitation only camp arrived. Molly was like a bomb with a lit fuse with excitement. Molly's mom brought her to the university parking area that Molly attended, where the bus would pick up the chosen students for the camp.

Finally, the bus turned into the parking area, and Molly let out a tiny scream of happiness. "Molly! Calm down, honey! You are going to hyperventilate!" Molly's mom said laughingly.

"Sorry, Mommy! I just can't believe it's finally happening!!" Molly giggled, blushing.

"I know, sweetheart! And again, I am so proud of you, Molly. " her mom smiled at her.

"Molly, are you sure you packed everything? Did you remember mosquito repellant? Do you have enough cash in case of an emergency? Toothbrush? Clean underwear? A jacket?".. Molly's mom asked her, slightly nervous about her daughter being away from home for a whole month.

"Relax, Mom! I am sure I have everything! I am not a little girl anymore, you know!" Molly said, giggling. "I know, Molly! But you will always be my baby girl!" her mother responded softly, smiling.

Molly smiled and hugged her mom a last time. Kissed her cheek and waved.

"Bye, Mommy! See you in a month's time! I love you! Molly yelled as she jogged to the bus door hopping inside.

"Bye, Molly! I love you too, darling! Remember to call me every day! I will miss you, honey!" her mom responded.

Waving at Molly as the bus drove off.

She walked back to the car, her heart heavy. Concern making two small lines between her eyebrows. She hasn't told Molly yet. She will wait for her to come back from the camp. She didn't want to be the reason that a dark cloud hung over Molly the whole time she was gone. Her daughter has been looking forward to this and worked way too hard for her to destroy it.

It started about two months ago, with constant headaches, forgetfulness, mood changes, etc. At first, she wrote it off as exhaustion because of her long work hours. But as her symptoms persisted, she realized she had to go see her doctor.

He took a blood test and scheduled an MRI scan. Molly's mom didn't tell Molly and quietly took off work to get the scan done. One morning, aweek later , the doct's office called her while she was at work and asked to come see her doctor.

Thinking it procedure s, sheheduled an appointment. He probably just wanted to tell her everything was fine and that she was just overworked and tired. She went to her doctor's office and awaited her turn. She walked into his office, smiling at the grey man behind the desk.

"Morning, Doctor," she said softly. The old doctor looked up from his computer and smiled empathetically at the beautiful woman. Concern and sadness suddenly crossed his face as he remembered the reason he asked her to come see him.

"Morning Delila"

Confusion fleetingly settled in her eyes as she saw his facial expression. "Why did he look so sad and worried?" she thought to herself. He told her to take a seat and took a deep breath. "Delilah, your tests and MRI scan report came back. I am afraid it isn't good news.

Delilah took a deep breath, pulled her shoulders back, and softly said, "I suspected as much." Tears started flowing freely from her eyes as the old doctor explained the full diagnoses regarding her health.

Delilah began sobbing harder.

"I am terribly sorry, Delilah. But the MRI showed you have two brain tumors. And both are malignant. "

We will have to operate to remove them.

I can, however, not assure you of a success rate as they are both primary brain tumors. "

Delilah's face went completely pale.

"B..brain cancer? But how? I mean, how did this happen, doctor?" she asked as her eyes filled up with tears.

" Glioblastoma stage 4. I am so sorry, Delilah. You are a nurse. You know how it works, " the old doctor said to her sadness all over his face.

She knew yes. Delilah knew that at stage 4, treatment and surgery were not going to help, and there wasn't a cure. At most, if she is lucky, she has 12 months maximum left. Depending on when the tumors reached stage 4...

Softly sobbing, she looked at her doctor as he proceeded to explain procedural precautions, diet, etc. to her.

Delilah had no idea how she was going to share this with Molly when she came home from camp. She has been dreading this for two months. And on Molly's return, it will be three.

Meanwhile, it was now week three of her camp. Molly was having the time of her life. She loved learning from other great musicians and teachers and absorbed everything like a sponge. But something was bothering her. Her mom hasn't been herself on their phonecalls. She tried very hard to hide it, but Molly knew her mom, and she sensed something was wrong.

2am In the morning, Molly awoke from one of the camp directors softly touching her shoulder and calling her name. "Molly, wake up. Sweetheart, wake up honey please". Molly opened her eyes, confused as to why the director would wake her up at this hour, looking devastated and concerned. "What happened, ma'am? Is there a fire or crisis with one of the students?" Molly asked, alarmed. Now fully awake.

"No, honey. Get dressed quickly and come to the T.V. lounge when you are done. Then I will talk to you, " the director said as she walked out of Molly's room. Molly quickly got up and pulled on a pair of jeans, hoodies, and sneakers and pulled her brush through her hair.

She ran to the T.V lounge and saw the director that woke her, the university director and Dr Richardson, their family doctor, all sitting at the small coffee table sipping their coffee. No one is saying a word. I'm just staring into space. Traces of tears and devastation are still on their faces.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Molly asked in panic. They looked up at her, and the camp director started sobbing again. Dr. Richardson got up and took Molly's small frame in his arms as he softly and gently spoke.

"Molly sweetheart, I am so so sorry to tell you that your mother passed away three hours ago. She has been suffering from Glioblastoma. ( Stage 4 brain cancer, he explained). She told me a few days ago that she hasn't told you about it yet, she was waiting for you to come home from camp honey"...As the doctor talked Molly felt her knees go weak, She struggled to breathe and her throat closed up. Her eyes filled up with tears. She began heartbreakingly sobbing. Her entire body was trembling.

"No! No! It can't be!! You are lying!! Not mommy! No! Tell me it's not true!!" Molly screamed between sobs. Dr. Richardson just held her tighter and soothingly spoke to Molly. She didn't hear a word he said apart from "I am so sorry, Molly. But it is the truth, honey. "

6 months later...Molly is sitting on her bed in her new 1 bedroom apartment. She sold the house her mother left her and that she grew up in after the funeral as she couldn't stand being in the house her om died in. Memories would drive her insane. She has barely been able to cope as it is. She has nobody left. Mom and dad are both gone now. It was just her. On the day her mom's will was read, the lawyer handed over a letter addressed to Molly. It was in an envelope with her name on. In her mom's handwriting. She stuffed it in her purse and only read it when she reached home.

"My darling Molly,

If you are reading this, it means that I am no longer with you. I have been sick for a while. If I happen to pass before I get to tell you, I am so sorry for keeping it from you, sweetheart. I didn't want to ruin your camp, knowing how hard you worked and how excited you are.

My beautiful baby girl, please be strong. I know it will be hard. But I need you to stay strong and be the amazing, talented, smart young woman I know you are. Set your goals and make sure you reach each one, my love. The sky is the limit, darling.

Molly, I know you are going to be great. I believe in you. You have been my rock, my inspiration, and my reason for being everything and more I could as your mom.

I know you will miss me, sweetheart. But remember, I will always be with you, and I love you with everything I am.

Look after yourself, Molly.

Depend on yourself.

And make sure that you have no regrets when the end of your time on earth arrives. You have been my greatest accomplishment and success. Also, it was my biggest source of happiness in all my life.

Go out there and be great, my darling.

Love Always

Mom

xxx"

Molly cried, reading her mom's letter. And in that very moment, she realized her mom's worth. Her unconditional love. Her selfless sacrifices. Everything she did to make Molly's childhood and life the best she could.

Molly sobbed and looked up at the sky. Softly, she whispered, "I'm sorry for only realizing your worth now that you are gone, Mom. But I promise to make the best of my life as far as I can so you will always stay as proud as me as you have always been. I love you. "

© Lolla Smith