“We made it.” Mackenzie said, she was choking back the tears already welling up in the corner of her eyes. I hugged her and said “Yes we did, and I can’t believe it!” from the top of the Eiffel Tower we stood there feeling as though we could accomplish and take on anything. But for you to understand this inspirational story of Mackenzie Johnson, I must start from the day it all began. It was 9th grade when I found out my friend
­BFF since 1st grade­ had cancer. I sat with her in the plain, white walled hospital room with her mom and her doctor. See I was at the hospital with them because I practically lived at the Johnson’s house. My parents were both alcoholics; some days they wouldn’t remember I’m their daughter.
Mackenzie’s parents treated me like another daughter; I had my own room and everything at their house. But enough about me this story is about Mackenzie. After a long fall, December was creeping upon us and the
Mackenzie’s new decorated hospital room was become a pink wonderland. That fall I sat with her everyday through the recovery from her latest surgery. The slow walks around the floor and
I Love Lucy marathons took up most of our days that was until our tutor came around.
Mrs. was a very sweet lady but who actually likes teachers, she was here from three to six each day. It was December 1st of 2011; four days from
Mackenzie’s birthday and the doctor came and interrupted Mrs. with a grim look on his face. Putting down the schoolbooks and our pencils,
Mackenzie asked the doc what was wrong. Amy (Mackenzie’s mom) walking behind Dr.Brooks filled the room with a sorrow feeling. You know like in a movie when the music comes on telling you something sad is about to happen, it was that kind of scenario. Dr.Brooks broke the silence and spoke in a gentle voice “Mackenzie I’m sorry to tell you but the surgery didn’t work…” After a brief second Mackenzie asked, “Is there anything else we can do.” You could still see the glimpse of hope in the

girls exhausted worn down eyes. “Unfortunately there isn’t sweetie, I’m afraid you have four to five months.” Earlier that year Amy decided she didn’t want to put Mackenzie through chemo unless absolutely needed.
Speaking softly like mothers do Amy said “What about Chemotherapy?”
Dr.Brooks nodded as if to say it’s time. “There is no guarantee the chemo will work, see the cancer is growing.” As if to break from months of silence
Mackenzie cleared her throat and said, “ Let’s do it!” Five minutes of silence processing the sudden unexpected news, Amy spoke again
“Mackenzie, sweetheart, we talked about starting on your
Bucket List if this headed south. I think it’s time.” As hard as it was for a mother to say this too her daughter it was true. Three months later with a half crossed of
Bucket List we sat in an ice cream