Aida Riley

Aida Riley is a mother, wife, teacher, leader, friend, child of God, and a cancer survivor. My mother has seen the best that life has to offer and the worst. Through all of life's trials and tribulations my mother has kept her head above the water to survive, mentor, and leave an everlasting impression on the very earth that she walks. My mom experienced the worst of cancer by seeing her long-time husband become bed-ridden and speechless from the evils of the disease. Sacrifice became a way of life for my mother; she sacrificed her own well being to physically take care of my dying father, and raise me, an eleven year old boy who has always marveled at what a lil' Puerto Rican lady could accomplish. Six months after laying my father to rest my mother said something I will never forget, "I have cancer." My mom would not know what cancer had in store for her, but neither would cancer know what my mom had in store for it. My mom had learned a lot about cancer while dealing with my father, so she took action and made sure that all options were considered and executed. A woman with a plan, and God on her side was not going to let cancer defeat her. With prayer, family, and friends my mother overcame cancer. I saw my mother experience new life after her trials; she became a woman of understanding. After seeing the worst of cancer she experienced the best- LIFE.