I remember being 7 years old. Day by day I noticed that mom was acting strange.

She didn't play with me; all she did was watch TV.

She wanted to go to a better place, but why would she want to?

Our neighbors were nice, our house was big, what else could she want?

One day mom left.

Crying in my father’s arms, I longed to see her again.

She came back, but that day wandered away from her memory.

 

I remember this past Fall like it was yesterday.

Day by day mom was acting strange.

She says her ears are ringing and it won't go away.  

She prayed multiple times a day, why so religious?

She did not leave the house for weeks.

She was begging me to stay home with her;

despite being in our house, she wanted to go home

The demon drove my mother to the hospital on Friday.

I was miserable at my friend's party that next day

I wanted to tell them, but I didn't want to be a burden.

They wouldn't understand.

Another turtle soup party was a week after.

Instead of seeing family, my family saw the demon.  

Mom ripping the keys from my hands, leaving a slight burn mark from the lanyard.

Family members blocking the road to make sure that the monster could not drive through.

The roller coaster continued as the demon made its presence.

One day playing trouble, hiding knives the next.

The third time in the hospital, she was cured and she was ok to come home.

 

Little did we know it was all a hoax.

One second she loved us, the next she said “go away”

Family members visited every day

Finally, after 8 shocks, mom was back.

We were all joyful

It seemed like our lives would be back to normal.

Little did we know; it was not over

Days without work, nights in the emergency room, nights spent crying alone in my room caused me to change.

I don’t always claim my thoughts,

But I am slowly rebuilding myself.

I have to make it strong, so when the time comes, the demon can’t knock it down.