The salty. story



The salty. story

I'll forever remember the day that I got a phone call from my sister. Where I was, what me and my little family were doing at that exact moment. When my sister said, "... it's cancer..." Time froze. My heart sunk. I heard what she said, but I knew she had to be talking about someone else. Not my mom. Please not my mom. Cancer had already devastated our family once before. We've lost friends to it. I couldn't let this be real. Unfortunately it was real. It still is. And for so many others in this world, it's also very, very real. It rips our hearts out of our chests.

 

 For some weird reason the only way I knew how to express myself, and also show my constant love and support for my mom, was to create something. That something was a sweatshirt, with the word salty. I showed up to my mom's first round of chemo wearing my sweatshirt. Somehow that gave me strength so that I could be strong for her. "salty." means that I am extremely bitter, angry and resentful towards her cancer. But it also means you are tough and aggressive. Which my mother definitely is! Along with everyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, or any other disease. They are the toughest most courageous people on this earth.

 

 So here we are almost four years later. She beat her cancer the first time, but it has since resurfaced. Just like before, she's fighting just as hard. So to all of you out there struggling with how to express your anger towards this or any disease, or any personal struggle you are dealing with, wear it as your armor... I feel you. I love you. I'm here for you.
Let's be salty. Together.
Emily & the salty. family