Growing Older is a Blessing — But Why Does it Feel like a Curse?

Aches, Pains, and Life Strains

Recently, my stylish and vivacious sister passed away from cancer. She was 61 years old. In 2023, that is considered too young to leave this world. My sister had a brain tumor which after a brief remission came back with a vengeance and metastasized throughout her body. Her liver was consumed by cancerous tumors which also developed in her lungs, lower back, and bones. The doctors gave my sister only weeks to live.

Despite this prognosis, my sister was determined to fight. She changed her diet, received an oxygen tank when she had trouble breathing, and began using natural remedies for the pain. But despite her efforts and those around her, the pain became too great and she was rushed to the hospital.

My sister passed away on Monday, October 30th. She went to sleep and didn’t wake back up. It was similar to my mother, who had passed away six years earlier. She went to sleep and the cancer claimed her. Now, it has claimed my sister.

My friend told me that life isn’t linear, a straight line. Life has ups and downs, twists and turns, breakthroughs and dead ends. I understand life isn't supposed to be perfect, but it seems as we get older, life gets harder — especially if you’re Black in America. Medical Science still contains a lot of bias, misinformation, and racism towards Black bodies.

When we are in our teens and twenties, we feel invisible. We’re young, healthy, and…