Many things have shaped me into the person I am today. Some of them are so insignificant that I can't even place them, but others I will remember until my last breath. I will never forget what has happened to me and my family since my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Because my mother had cancer for much of my childhood, I became very mature, gained a new respect for people, and developed a new outlook on life. I had to become very mature very quickly after my mother got sick. My mother was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2008. I was only eleven years old. It was shocking to me because I was still a little girl and I was happy and worry-free. Having her so sick changed me because I no longer had time to be a kid. I had to take care of my younger siblings because no one else could. I hated seeing my mother so sick; it tore me to pieces. I was always alone with my two little sisters. I didn't have time to do anything for myself and at that time I felt it was very unfair. My father made me stop all my after school activities so I could stay at home with my younger sisters. I started to hate my parents because I desperately wanted their attention, but they were always too busy. The things that were important to me weren't important to them and I was furious. I had to grow up faster than most kids. I had to take on a lot of responsibilities when my mother got sick; my new responsibilities also helped me become more mature. I learned many valuable things when my mother was sick. The fact that she was too ill to do anything forced me to take responsibility. So when he got sick again in 2010, I was prepared. It wasn't really a shock to me because I somehow knew she wouldn't stay well for long. I... halfway through the paper... I made a mistake. My mother missed much of my childhood and now remains more of a friend than my mother. I am very independent with my choices today because I have to make decisions as such a young adult. I wouldn't be as smart, educated, and composed as I am today if my mother had never been diagnosed with cancer. At sixteen I understand things about the value of life that most people don't understand until much later. I will always be stubborn and courageous because of the things I learned during the time my mother was ill. The memories, thoughts, values ​​and fears I formed while my mother had cancer will remain with me forever. I hope that the negative experiences I have had continue to change me for the better. Over time my mother has been ill, I have become very mature, I have a new respect for people and I have a new outlook on life.