I remember the day my mom got diagnosed with breast cancer. My husband and I had been waiting for her to call from the doctor to tell us if it was cancer or not. I remember when the phone rang I handed it to my husband. I did not want to hear if it was or not, that would make it too real. I remember hearing him speak and I knew right away that it was positive. He tried to hand me the phone to talk to her but I could not bring myself to get on the phone. It was like if I actually heard the words from her mouth that I might crumble to the ground. Hearing it from her would make it that much more real.

I eventually called her back, my heart thudding in my chest. She picked up and I could hardly speak a word. She filled me in on the details and then she asked me...

“are you okay”.

Those simple words, are you okay, made me realize the depths of her love. Shouldn’t I have been the one to ask her that... My mom had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. This was the worst day of her life, and the first thing she asked was if I was okay. She didn’t cry and pour out her list of worries to me, she didn’t tell me how scared she was. She was more concerned from hearing from me, her daughter, if I was okay.

She showed me in that moment how strong mothers are. A mother can see beyond her own pain and fears to her hurting child. It doesn’t matter how old that child is, when your child is hurt there is one thing we want to know…are you okay and what I can do to help. My mom showed me everything I want to be as a mom— strong, loving and willing to see beyond my own pain to help my child’s hurting heart.

I will never forget that simple question she asked me …”Are you okay” because it showed me all the strength in the world.