Wellington senior Marlee Brown poses with her mother Shannon who lost a six year battle with cancer in April. Marlee expressed what her mother meant to her in this special Mother’s Day column. [Provided photo]
Many people would say it was a privilege to have known, be taught, be coached by, or played basketball with Shannon Brown.
But I am blessed to be able to to do all of those things, but most importantly say that she was my mom. My mom touched so many people throughout her life, and was a true inspiration before she passed away on April 11.
We had a mother-daughter relationship that was probably like most mothers and daughters, the only difference is that mine was cut short, way short. It wasn’t until my mom got sick that I realized all of the little moments I spent with her that I had taken for granted. Our relationship was more than her playing the role of my mom, she was my best friend. I could tell her anything and she listened attentively, and was honest with me when she answered. My mother was a great listener, advice giver, mom, wife, sister, daughter, teacher, coach, and friend, but her favorite and most important title is she was a child of God.
If you ever had the chance to know or talk to my mom you‘d know, without a doubt, that her faith was most important to her. To know her was to know Jesus, and that in itself was a blessing. Mom’s last year of life was probably her hardest. She was hardly home with most of her time being spent in a hospital. Due to that, she didn’t get to see a lot of my last moments in high school. Even though she will never physically be with me again, I know that she is watching down on me from heaven. I take great comfort in that.
Marlee and her mother Shannon share a special moment. [provided photo]The first time mom beat her cancer was so relieving, but little did we know that it was only be the beginning. The last six years of her life were a constant battle. She loved a challenge, and God had given her the ultimate one. My dad always told me, “God only gives the toughest battles to the strongest people”. I can confidently say that my mom was the strongest person that I have ever known. Not only was she strong physically and mentally, but she was spiritually strong. The day my mom passed was the hardest day of my life. I didn’t know how to feel because nothing felt real. To this day, I still have moments when I just want to pick up my phone and call or text her. I know that time heals all, and time is going to help me to get used to my new “normal”. In a way I feel selfish to be sad about my mom’s death because she has ultimately won.
She has killed cancer, and is in heaven with no more pain or suffering. Saying “see ya later” wasn’t easy, but it was a win for the Kingdom. I find peace and rest in knowing that I will see my mom again. Our relationship has not stopped, but has only been put on pause for the moment until I meet her again.