how wrong I was.
When my mother-in-law, Valerie, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, our entire lives changed.
Valerie had always been fiercely independent.
She was the kind of woman who refused help carrying grocery bags even when they were clearly too heavy.
Watching illness slowly take that independence from her was heartbreaking.
My husband, Zion, told me he was overwhelmed with work.
Long hours.
Late meetings.
Extra responsibilities.
At least, that was what I believed.
So most of Valerie’s care fell to me.
I drove her to chemotherapy.
Picked up