On Losing a Parent in Your 20s

I found my mother lying unresponsive in the living room of our home. She was slumped in her favorite chair with a peaceful expression on her face, her eyes closed as if she were dreaming about some glorious, faraway land. Within minutes, the paramedics came and pronounced her dead. She passed away peacefully in her sleep from natural causes on Friday, October 10th, 2014. That night, I remember telling my best friend, between sobs on the phone, these exact words: "She won't see me turn 30." I was 27. Throughout most of my 20s, I believed that I had experienced many of the joys and tribulations of a young adult. I graduated from college, moved to New York and then back to Philly (twice), started a job and got laid off, started a blog, became an entrepreneur, made and squandered money, dated a**holes, discovered love, traveled to many countries, developed a newfound relationship with my parents, experienced the death of a grandparent, dealt with an unhealthy shopping addiction, graduated from grad school, created and grew out of friendships, and so much more. I fancied it a breeze turning 30, having garnered a wealth of knowledge and wisdom through the trials of my 20s. Little did I know I was about to face the most difficult challenges of my life. I never thought my mother would die. In fact, I dreamt that my parents would grow old together. I pictured them still nimble and happy well into their 100s. They'd watch me advance in my career and start a family, and they'd become...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news