Relationships

     First, I would like to thank you, Professor Barry, for your kind words about someone I didn't even know yet have a sense that they were an amazing person.  I am sorry for your loss.  I also feel I am blessed to have you for my teacher in that you care about me as an  individual not just a student.
     Like many of us, I too, have experienced loss of family and friends.  My great-grandparents passed away years ago when I was very young so I really didn't know them very well.  I hear stories from my parents and grandparents that make me feel proud of my ancestors.  Three years ago, seems like yesterday, on a cold night in November, the phone rang in the middle of night that my Aunt Cheryl passed away. I will never forget that night or the feeling I had hearing my mother cry and my parents deciding how it would be best to let my grandparents, my mothers mom and dad, gain knowledge of this sad news.  I can't even imagine the feeling of losing a child.  This is my mom's sister who was only in her thirties at the time of her death.  My aunt had Chrohn's Disease which is an autoimmune disorder that affects the way one metabolizes and absorbs their food intake.  My aunt was first diagnosed with this disease after the birth of her first baby which all started from an antibiotic that was given to her after she developed an infection after the birthing process.  My aunt experienced daily symptoms of her disease but never complained or felt sorry for herself.  She had to quit the one thing she loved, teaching, at a early age.  She was an amazing math and computer teacher and had this amazing ability to teach with success even the weakest students in this field.  I could call her day or night with a math problem and she could walk me through it without the slightest bit of difficulty even making sense to me, the "I HATE MATH" kind of student.  My Aunt Cheryl loved helping and teaching others.  She loved science projects and every year we would all go to her house and we would have science weekends and perform science experiments.  She loved the outdoors especially fishing which I often can see her doing as a comfort feeling when I think of her.  She was an amazing mom even through her weakest states and I truly miss her every day.  I am comforted to know she is in a better place and no longer in pain of suffers from her disease.
     Many of you know from my previous postings that I experienced a very life altering experience being involved in an accident in which I was seriously injured.  For me, not only does death but my love to live enlighten me every day to enjoy what matters to me the most of any given day.  My family is the most amazing group of people you would ever meet.  We cherish, support and love each other very much.  I am truly blessed.  My friends, teammates, coaches and supportive teachers are important in my life as well.  And for me, God, who gave me this extraordinary life is the highest on my list.