Turmeric Tea, Beet Salad, and a Side of Strength

When my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, the world seemed to stop. Everything we knew about life felt flipped upside down. I remember sitting in that small hospital office, the doctor’s words hanging heavy in the air. My siblings and I sat silently, the weight of it all pressing down on us.

Then, as if to remind us of her incredible spirit, my mom broke the silence: “Let’s go to lunch. I want a bloody Mary.”

That’s who she was—determined, optimistic, and unwilling to let cancer dictate every moment.

From that day on, trips to the hospital in the city became part of our lives. It was over an hour’s drive each way, the skyline eventually greeting us as we got closer. Despite the reason for those trips, my mom found a way to make them meaningful.

After every appointment, we’d head to the small café tucked inside the hospital. It wasn’t much to look at, but for us, it became a haven. We’d sit together, sharing creamy turmeric teas that promised a touch of healing. My mom would always order her favorite: a bright, earthy beet salad that somehow matched her vibrant personality, even on the hardest days.

Those lunches weren’t just about food—they were about reclaiming something normal in the chaos. We’d laugh, sometimes about nothing in particular, or sit quietly, soaking up the moment together. That little café, in the middle of a hospital, became a place where hope felt tangible.

On the drive back home, we’d talk about anything and everything, the city slowly fading behind us. There were moments of quiet, of course, as we processed the day. But more often than not, my mom’s optimism filled the car.

Looking back, I realize how much those simple moments taught me. My mom showed me that even in the hardest times, there’s always room for a little joy. She didn’t just fight—she lived. She reminded me that even in a hospital café, over turmeric tea and beet salad, life could still be sweet.

Now, every time I see those little reminders—whether it’s a menu with turmeric tea or a bowl of beets—I’m transported back to those lunches. To the strength she carried, to the way she refused to let cancer take away the life she loved.

It’s a lesson I carry with me daily: when life feels unbearable, find the café. Find the tea, the salad, the laughter. And most importantly, find the joy.

To my mom, who taught me how to keep going, even when the road was hardest.

Aimee