I wrote an essay about my mom’s death — it made my professor cry

New York Post ^ | May 20, 2023 | Brooke Kato

[nickcarraway]

In an essay for her English class, she divulged the heart-wrenching journey from diagnosis to death — bringing the internet and her West Virginia University professor to tears.

Harman shared the lengthy text in a viral TikTok video this week, garnering more than 13 million views and 45,000 teary responses.

At a time when her life was “supposed to be at its peak,” everything fell apart, she wrote, explaining that her mom was diagnosed with sarcoma, which invades bones and soft tissue, in 2021. Harman went on to write that her mom got to see her and her sister graduate from high school, but it wasn’t until the newly minted graduate was on a celebratory beach trip with friends that things went downhill.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

It made Baby Jesus cry.

[Repeal The 17th]

Newsflash:
the death of a loved one is tragic.
(such as it ever was)

[Bigg Red]

So sick of the narcissistic online sharing of deeply personal information.

[PAR35]

the death of a loved one is tragic.

Unless it gets you lots of view on Tic-Tok.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Jeez, what unique, one-of-a-kind experience, the death of a parent.

World of self-absorbed attention whores.

[CFW]

I wouldn’t have put it on tik-tok and, of course didn’t, but my mother passed away a few months ago, and her death has hit me harder than I expected. She was almost 90 and had been very active up until the final few months.

I knew in my head that she would be passing away soon, but it was still hard to accept. I still find myself wanting to call her to tell her something or ask a question. And, sometimes tears come to my as I realize she is truly gone. She and we children were all very close and seldom a day went by that I didn’t talk to her and I usually stopped by once a week to visit and chat.

I loved the part about dancing when they knew she was gone and were dancing as she instructed. My mother told us that we should celebrate she has gone on to be with the Lord. I do, but she didn’t tell me I couldn’t miss her. That, I do as well.

[pfflier]

Every TV show contestant now has to have a weepy moment ...and the guy has to have a husband...

[mairdie]

I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. It doesn’t matter that everyone’s mother dies. One’s mother is unique and special and we want them to live happily forever. It’s a tragedy when a good person leaves this earth and it should cause raging and tears and, gradually, cherished memories. Sharing those memories lets others remember her, too. May the memory of her love for you be around for a long, long time.

[CFW]

“I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. It doesn’t matter that everyone’s mother dies. One’s mother is unique and special and we want them to live happily forever. It’s a tragedy when a good person leaves this earth and it should cause raging and tears and, gradually, cherished memories. Sharing those memories lets others remember her, too. May the memory of her love for you be around for a long, long time.”

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Thank you so much for those kind words. To receive such comments from a complete stranger encourages me to remember my mother’s strengths and love for her family and makes my memories so much sweeter.