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My mom died today at 5pm CST. She was 56 years old. It honestly hasn't quite sunk in just yet, and I think it will really hit in a week or so. I'm just glad she went quickly and as painlessly as one can hope for, especially all that she went through.

I don't regret being here for the last two weeks to see her off, even if it's been the hardest thing I've done. Frankly, my heart goes out to my oma more than anyone because it's just not right to watch your child go first.

I'm incredibly thankful for all the support people have been giving. I've had so many friends come out of the woodwork to give their condolences, and it really does help; I wish I were able to give a better way to say thank you to them because words just never seem to do justice.

My mother was an inspiration and model citizen. Her early life was plagued by harsh parenting, while later she divorced, was diagnosed with breast cancer initially in 2005, and even had to declare bankruptcy, yet not once did she give up (even going so far as to have an an immaculate credit score less than 10 years after bankruptcy, for example). My god, she fought tooth and nail to the bitter end, dealing with her failing health, raising my brother and myself, holding her job down, and recognizing that even with all the shit in the world, there's still something worth living for.

Her journey through cancer ought to be legendary. She was named an honorary fireman from the organization Pink Heals, she participated in countless experimental treatments to help further science to ease the suffering of others, and she was a go-to person for many seeking a shoulder to cry on.

And finally, raising my brother and myself as a defacto single mother while juggling all of the above is, in my opinion, just incredible. She did an amazing job of shielding us from many of the tribulations she was enduring, and I regret being a little shit when I was younger and not appreciating it all a bit more.

While she may be gone in the flesh, she will live on in all the lives she's touched, even inspiring those she never met. Life is short, brutal and unfair, but equally beautiful, caring, and joyous, and anyone who can look death in the eye and dare to stand and thrive channels the strength and defiance of my mom.