Independence

How does a mother teach her daughter independence?

My mum decided to pack her things up, and leave. She was torn between two relationships, my dad and a work friend. Spoiler alert, she chose the work friend. He was the wrong choice, getting her involved in illicit substances and all. Months later, I had to go to court, dad went with me. Mum went with the defendant. The defendant in question was charged as guilty and sentenced to twenty eight days in prison. This defendant is the same previously mentioned 'work friend'. She moved to NSW Australia while I stayed with dad in Tasmania, Australia.

I was so good on my own, and I am so proud of myself. I taught myself how to braid my hair, multiple ways. when I went through puberty, I learned as I went. and years later, I opened my own bank account, passed a driving test and got my license, then bought a car. All on my own.

But my mum, is still my best friend. To this day exactly. Now together we are both battling her stage four metastatic bowel cancer, every single day. and I get to say that we went through hell and back at different times, but both made it out. She got a lifetime of lessons to teach others, I got independence. But at the very end, we both got each other.