<p>I tip-toed my way to the kitchen to get a midnight snack when I noticed the dimly lit hallway. I crept to the entrance with out being noticed and saw my mom and dad sitting at the island. I saw my mother, crying. I cringed as if cold air was hitting hit my back. I heard the word: cancer. In that millisecond, I was bombarded with emotions of sadness, anger, and helplessness. Losing my appetite, I walked to my room, closed the door, got into bed, and cried myself to sleep. The following week I couldnt concentrate; then came that fateful Saturday night when my parents sat my brothers and I down and explained that she was going to have surgery Monday morning. She would be leaving Sunday night. </p>
<pre><code>At eight oclock Sunday night, she kissed my brothers and I good night. Then she left. On Monday, I arrived home and as I yelled, Hi, to my mom, but I realized she wasnt in the kitchen. I went to her room and saw the unmade bed. Then it hit me: I had to accept that my mom really was sick and in the hospital. I realized that I wouldnt have my mom to help me. She wouldnt be there to pick me up when Im down, she wouldnt be there to drive me to marching band, she wouldnt be there to listen to my rants about band and chorus. I had to accept that my mom wouldnt be there for any of us.
The next day, I came home to see that four guys living in one house was not a good combination. The house was a mess, with clothes on the bathroom floor and fast food wrappers on the table. I knew things had to change, and no one else was going to do it, so I took charge. It certainly was irritating when I had to clean, cook, and do homework. I couldnt understand how my mom was able to keep her composure and simultaneously do all the chores, cook, and still manage to smile and laugh. I was not accustomed to doing things for myself, and I learned quickly that being self-sufficient is hard work.
My mother always told me, Nada en vida es imposible si usted trabaja para conseguir lo que usted quieres, nothing in life is impossible if you work to get what you want. I knew I had to live up to this creed, because I was no longer a kid in high school, I was a kid who became a mother of three. I was proud that I could do my mom the favor of being protector of the house. I was proud that I was able to do the things for her that she did for me. I understood that my mom was not only keeper of the house, but also the person to keep the house emotionally stable. She came home Saturday after an excruciatingly long time apart from her sons. She came through the door in so much pain, but was able to give a small smile: all I could do was cry at the sight of seeing my mom in that discomfort. I had to be strong and keep myself together.
My mom has given me the best gift of all. With time and support, she has made me an independent person. Her battle was a difficult one, but it turned me into a strong, self- sufficient person. I know my mom will always be there for us, like I always will be there for my family and friends. Through her suffering I learned the true meaning of her words. A 14 year-old boy can become much more than that: a mother figure, a support system, an independent self-sufficient man.
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