In 1997, breast cancer took the life of my biological mother (Izzy) however it also brought us together.
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I was adopted by my paternal grandparents when I was an infant.  Throughout the years, Izzy contacted and visited my family once a year.  At that time I was not aware of who she really was….although I suspected there was more.  It was until just before my marriage that the story was told to me.  It was hurtful to think that my biological mother wouldn’t want me however through the years I got to know her.  It wasn’t until she told me she had breast cancer that we became close.  She talked and I listened…I talked and she listened.  When the end was near she asked me to be her POA (Power of Attorney)…that I was the only one that she knew that would do the right thing at the right time.  I had her transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital from Kingston hospital so that my family and I could be with her.Â
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As the end drew near, Izzy asked if I would consider being with her at the end, she didn’t want to die alone. She felt she had no right to ask me because of her walking away when I was an infant.  It was at that moment that we truly bonded as “mother and daughter”. I knew in my heart that what she did was truly selfless and was the right thing to do at the time and she finally accepted that my heart was behind my words.  My husband, my children and I were with Izzy when she passed away…she died knowing she was forgiven and very much loved.Â
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Izzy, I run for you…
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Diane Elliott
Barrie, Ontario