My Mother

She was born the sixth child of my grandparents, although only the fourth alive. She was the baby young enough to be her brother’s daughter.

Her father adored her until he went to heaven. Her grandmother was distant and even further was her own mother.

What those people did to her and her cousin was unforgivable. So young and so in need of love.

One died young lost in her addiction. The other still struggling with her own.

They were united through the trauma but never understood. They suffered because no one tried to help them go through their pain.

The loss of their mother’s love.