Everything’s Otay!

Hello Lovely Readers,

For those of you who have been following this journey back in 2019, know there’s an article that is very important that I wrote titled “Someone Close.” If you’re new or haven’t had the chance to read it, I highly suggest you read that article before continuing with this one. This article will come together and be a more meaningful read. For those of you who have read it and know the context, continue to the next paragraph. 

It’s been about 7 years since I wrote that article, and that is still one of the hardest articles I have written, but it meant so much to me. I actually have some news regarding it. I thought I would never be able to share, but I am so happy this opportunity came. I’m here to share some VERY exciting news. Back in 2023, I received a text from my Tia (aunt) and cousin saying they found the person I was looking for. So many thoughts went through my head. Seeing that text message had me in such shock. I froze, I woke up My Favorite Person, and shared the news with him. We immediately sprang into action. After many years of searching, studying about her diagnosis, and preparing myself to have her back in my life, I am so thankful to say I finally found my mother! She’s back in my life!

ALL the preparation I did was VERY MUCH worth it. I can’t describe the feelings in words, but what I promised myself at the age of 16 came true. My teenage self would be so proud. Saying the word “mom” is very healing. I feel like I found a missing piece to my puzzle. I hope this is a healing experience for her, too. She shared she thought no one was out there looking for her, but hopefully, knowing she has one of her children in her life who took the initiative to search, show care, patience, and support brings her some peace. I am so grateful and feel so overwhelmed with joy and happiness that she’s safe and found! I wish I had the opportunity to tell my dad that I found Mom as I promised. He was always supportive and gave me suggestions of places to look. She is under my care with the help of My Favorite Person. She truly enjoys his company. She’s getting the treatment that she needs and is doing great! She’s happy, healthy, and mentioned she feels comfortable, loved, and supported by her team of professionals and us. She’s taking the time to understand her diagnosis and ask questions to help her familiarize herself with her symptoms and how to better manage them.

I’m taking the time to learn about my mom every day. I love hearing her stories and experiences. What she shares sometimes can be heartbreaking, but I’m so thankful she is doing her best to heal from her traumas and doesn’t have to live through that pain by herself anymore. I enjoy going into her room to check in on her, make jokes, and encourage her to explore the world in a way she’s never experienced.

Finding her came unexpectedly and not how I envisioned. But I’m so thankful this moment came, and I’m forever grateful for my cousin who noticed her and reached out, and to everyone who was involved in getting her off the street*. She’s learning so much every day about the present world and has goals she would like to achieve. It truly makes me happy to know that she has a safe place she calls home.

Now, I’d like to share a little bit about my mother. Her current favorite things to do are word searches, sewing, and knitting, and she loves to watch TV. Her all-time favorite movie is JAWS. She’s a stationary girlie like me! She loves her pens, markers, and highlighters. I think she started collecting the cute erasers. I’ve noticed she has quite a few. She loves her coffee, talking to her sister, and going on small walks with My Favorite Person and me.

*Getting her off the streets due to trauma and mental illness was a challenge. There are many families and individuals out there that have to deal with this reality. I’ll be writing an article about my experience, what we dealt with, and the resources that are provided for us to use to get my mother off the street and into a facility to get the care they need.