My senior year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was given six months to live since she refused to take chemo and radiation. At that time, I was a teenager, recently kicked out of my house by my stepfather at the age of 16. Let me explain, I was at work, I had done nothing wrong it was my sister who he was mad at, but I paid the cost of her actions. My mother stayed there with him leaving us to our own device. My sister was 19. I was hurt, angry and bitter. Prior to the diagnosis, I refused to talk with my mother or my stepfather. When she was diagnosed, I knew I had to forgive her, I could not live with myself if my mother thought I hated her on her deathbed. During this time, I discovered myself, I found the inner strength