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- My mom was my best friend, so it made sense for me to quit my stressful job so we could spend the last few months of her life together (businessinsider.com)
A Heartfelt Goodbye: Choosing Family Over Career
Grief, a rollercoaster of emotions, can be a powerful reminder of life’s precious moments. In early 2024, I faced a difficult decision: prioritize my demanding career as a television news reporter or spend precious time with my ailing mother. Choosing family, I resigned from my position, allowing me to cherish the final months of my mom’s life.
My mother was my confidante, my best friend forever. From childhood memories of shared laughter and game shows to navigating the anxieties of adolescence, she was my constant. Even when I moved two hours away to Chicago, our bond remained strong.
My reporting job, a dream come true, allowed me to work remotely for a major market, enabling frequent visits while Mom navigated a series of health challenges. Despite her own struggles, her love and concern for my well-being never wavered. However, the mounting pressures of my career began to weigh heavily, prompting me to seek alternative opportunities.
With some savings, freelance work lined up, and a gut feeling telling me it was the right time, I left my job in April 2024. The following month, my newsroom team disbanded, reaffirming my decision.
From April until her passing in November, we created a tapestry of cherished memories. Daily visits to the rehab center were filled with “Dragnet” reruns, game shows, and bingo games. We even enjoyed outings to a play and an amusement park, witnessing her genuine joy in those final months.
In October, around her birthday, Mom was admitted to the emergency room, where she remained for a month. I stayed by her side until the end.
Forty years of pure, unconditional love. Though she’s gone, the memories we shared remain, a testament to a bond that transcended time. I find solace knowing she felt that love as deeply as I did.