4:55 PM

Title: 4:55 PM

This story is dedicated to those who have lost a loved one. May you find comfort in the memories you shared, strength in the love that remains, and peace in knowing that they will always be with you in spirit.

It was a cold winter morning when I woke up with a sense of unease. The time on my smartwatch read 5:25 am, and something felt off. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I had a very strange feeling that the day ahead would be different.

As I went about my morning routine, the strange feeling only grew stronger. I tried to shake it off, telling myself it would all be okay. But deep down, I knew it was something more. I just wasn't mentally strong enough to accept what we all have been afraid of.

I decided to make myself a cup of ginger and cranberry tea before heading out for a walk in the park to clear my head. The trees looked so beautiful covered in snow. I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the beauty of nature and the simple joys that it brings as I walked through the snow-covered landscape.

The beauty of the snow was truly breathtaking. I felt grateful to be able to witness such a magical sight that I quietly stood still for a moment, taking in the beauty of the snow around me. I closed my eyes and listened to the peaceful sound of snow falling around me. A lot has been happening in my life, and I needed something to help me escape the secret battle that I have been fighting.

The day Mama died.

It was 4:55 pm. I remember the time as if it were yesterday when I received the phone call that would forever change me. The voice on the other end of the line was shaky, it was my younger brother Riley. I could feel the weight of the news before it was even spoken.

"Mama is dying," he said.

It all made sense. I now understand why I woke up feeling so strange.

Our mother, Eve, had been battling cancer for five years, but we always held onto hope that she would come out victorious. She was a fighter and a true believer in Christ who had faced every challenge with grace and courage. But in the end, the disease was too much for her.

I dropped everything I was doing to rush to the hospital, my heart pounding in my chest as I raced against time. When I arrived, I was met with total sadness. Mama lay motionless on the hospital bed, her once beautiful brown eyes now closed forever. The room was filled with the sound of silent tears.

I sat on the hospital bed, holding Mama's cold hand in mine, unable to comprehend the reality of her absence and just how unrecognizable she looked.

"Who will love us?" I asked.

"Who will cook us delicious home-cooked meals?

Who will sing along to my favorite music with me?

Who will tell me the sky is the limit for me? Who will pray for me? Who will hug me after a long and stressful day? Who would I call to ask for relationship advice? How could my best friend be gone? How can I go on without her?"

The days that followed were filled with grief and disbelief. I struggled to come to terms with the fact that I would never again hear Mama's voice, feel her touch, or see her beautiful smile. My world had lost its color. I could no longer sleep, eat, or drink - nothing made sense to me anymore.

As I moved from room to room, looking at family pictures hanging on the walls and holding Mama's belongings, each item held a memory, a piece of her that I could hold dear to my heart. A handmade painting of hearts with a handwritten note saying "I love you, my princess" was still hanging in her bedroom, and her favorite black lace blouse still smelled of her perfume.

I found myself questioning God - why is life so unfair? Why do good people have to die?

Mama's funeral was filled with tears and condolences. Our neighbors, friends, and family gathered to pay their respects. Some shared stories of Mama's kindness and generosity. I stood in the corner, listening as tears filled my eyes and words were unable to leave my lips. How could I accept that she was truly gone, that I would never see her again?

In the days and weeks that followed, I struggled to find my way in a world that no longer held the same meaning. Yes, the sun still rose and set, and the months changed, but Mama's absence affected my everyday life. I tried to find peace and create a new beginning, but the pain of her loss was a heavy burden that I carried with me every day.

Time passed, as it always does, and slowly my sad days began to soften. I was learning to cope with life's challenges, to live without Mama, and to carry her memory with me. I know that Mama would want me to find love and happiness in life, to honor her legacy by living my life to the fullest. Parts of me are forever missing, but a piece of her will always live in me. Mama's death was a devastating blow, a loss that will never fully heal. But her love, strength, and cheerful personality will always be a part of me, guiding me through life's darkest moments.

Now, I close my eyes at night, thanking the creator of the universe for guiding me on this unexpected journey. This is the beginning of a new chapter in my life, filled with endless possibilities and opportunities for growth. I embrace challenges with courage and determination, knowing that I am capable of achieving greatness.

- Believe in yourself and never give up. Keep shining bright like a diamond. You are capable of greatness. Stay strong, stay positive, and continue spreading love wherever you go.