Resilience

Today, I went in to get my shingles shot. I’m not a big fan of needles, and this time, I was particularly anxious. The CVS pharmacy I visited was one Sana and I had frequented often during the past few months. As I sat in the waiting area, my mind couldn’t help but wander back to those visits, replaying moments that are now etched in my memory. Sana had endured countless needles, tubes, and incisions. For someone who had once made a doctor run around the clinic due to her fear of needles, she bravely faced every procedure without a single complaint. It amazed me then, and it amazes me even more now, to think of how she handled it all. Not once did she question, “Why me?” Not once did she voice her pain. In those moments, it was as if she bore the burden of our collective pain. Her bravery was a shield, protecting us from the full weight of what was happening. She didn’t want us to worry more than we already were, and in doing so, she taught us the true meaning of resilience. Sana was a trooper, a beacon of strength in the face of unimaginable challenges. Her courage was unwavering, her spirit unbreakable. I see that now more clearly than ever, as I sit here, reflecting on her journey. She was more than just my daughter; she was my teacher, showing me how to face adversity with grace and how to endure the unendurable. As I left CVS today, I felt a mixture of pride and sorrow. Pride in the way Sana handled everything life threw at her and sorrow for the loss of someone so extraordinary. But in my heart, I know that her legacy of bravery lives on. I carry it with me, and it inspires me to face my own fears, no matter how small they seem in comparison. Sana was, and always will be, my angel—brave, resilient, and full of grace.