Losing My Mother, Finding Myself

This deeply personal memoir recounts Timyka Sanders' journey through grief, loss, and healing following the death of her mother and eventually her father. It explores themes of loss, family dynamics, trauma, resilience, and the complex emotions tied to caregiving and mourning. The narrative is structured into chapters and journal entries that reflect on significant life events, emotional struggles, and the evolving relationship with family members. Timyka Sanders began writing fourteen years ago to preserve memories of her mother and to process each grief stage, such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. She recounts feelings of regret and anger about her mother's smoking habit and the complex emotions that were tied to her passing. Writing served as a therapeutic tool, helping her heal and later inspiring her to share her story to assist others on similar journeys.