Precious Cousin

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Today marks ten years since my beautiful and absolutely perfect baby cousin passed away after only fifteen short months of life.

She died in the hospital room of a local hospital surrounded by MANY members of her extended family.

Hers was the first death I experienced in my life. Losing her was so bittersweet because it was also comforting to see her finally be so peaceful after she passed away. Watching her lose her battle and seeing her lifeless body is still probably the hardest thing I have faced and it's a moment I'll never forget.

At such a young age, she taught me so much about life. Like how fragile it is. Or how to cherish every moment and make the best of each day because you just never know.

If we lived every day as if it was our last day on earth, just think of how much more we would get done on a daily basis!

In some ways, it seems like it was just yesterday... yet at the same time it feels like it happened such a long time ago. I think of her often and wonder what she would have been like. I may be biased, but I can still remember how contagious her smile was.

 P.S. Don't forget to leave me a comment below on your thoughts! As always, I'd love to hear from you.

Elizabeth Edwards

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Elizabeth Edwards, has died at the age of 61 after a six year long battle with breast cancer. Just yesterday, news broke that her doctors had informed her last week that further treatment would be "unproductive" and that she had stopped treatment.

You always pray and hope for the best, but unfortunately in life you need to prepare for the worst.

Throughout everything Elizabeth Edwards has been through (losing her 16 year old son Wade in a car accident, battling cancer [then going into remission, then finding out the cancer is back -- and worse that it is spreading], and of course the infamous admission by John Edwards that he had an affair and fathered a child), she always held her own and kept her poise. Elizabeth Edwards never had anything malicious to say, even though she had every right and most people in her position would have.

What an inspirational woman.

I read a quote earlier online from a family friend of hers that said "Elizabeth did not want people to say she lost her battle with cancer. The battle was about living a good life and that she won." What a great outlook on life - I know most people without a doubt would not be thinking in such a positive manner.

My condolences go out to her family (especially her children) and friends.

P.S. Don't forget to leave me a comment below on your thoughts! As always, I'd love to hear from you.

Beginning of Winter Olympics '10

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Olympics - it's honestly the only time every two years that I look forward to sporting events. In the summer games, my favorite are gymnastics and swimming (because of the last summer olympics)  and in the winter games - figure skating and ice dancing. The fact that the Olympics are being played in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada this year is a plus -- I'm from Ontario, Canada!

It's kind of bittersweet this year because this morning Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili passed away as he was practicing. International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge said Nodar's death just hours before the opening ceremony “clearly casts a shadow over these games.” I heard that it will be announced in the opening ceremony that this years games are going to be dedicated to Nodar, which is a nice gesture. At 21( my age!), he had his life cut tragically short... but he literally died doing something he loved. While that does not make it any easier, it is in a way some sort of consolation. 

There are so many aspects of the Olympics that I find so fascinating - like the fact that the best of the best from each country compete again the best of the best from other countries in all sorts of sports. I'm not naive - westernized countries obviously have better technology and opportunities because of what is available to them to  prepare and athletes from these countries are obviously going to win more... but the idea is nice anyways.

No matter whether you like sports or not, chances are you watch some aspect of the Olympics. It's just one of those things that bring people together. I know I personally watch more sporting events during the Olympics than I do any other time. With everyone's lives so busy all the time, the Olympics are one of those times that we slow down a bit to watch it together as a family. Even when we are all home, usually we are in our separate areas doing our own thing, but times like these - all five of us are sitting in the same room - and that doesn't happen often enough anymore.

Now onto the opening ceremony - the 'Parade of Nations'. Forget the spectacular show each hosting country puts on in the opening ceremony... my favorite part is the idea of all the athletes from each country walking in together representing their respected countries. It's as if for sixteen days - all the differences are put on hold.

The opening ceremony is just minutes away now... so ENJOY! 

P.S. Don't forget to leave me a comment below on your thoughts! As always, I'd love to hear from you.

Senator Ted Kennedy, 1932-2009

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"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die." -- Senator Ted Kennedy, 1932-2009

Around 1:30 A.M. this morning, i was suprised and deeply saddened to receive "breaking news" text messages from several different news organizations alerting me that Edward Kennedy had passed away due to brain cancer at the age of 77... fifteen short months after the diagnosis.

Edward Kennedy was not only one of the most influential politicians, but a true humanitarian which was quite evident through his vast efforts for healthcare amongst many other things.

He is irreplaceable - but whoever takes on his roles... has a very tough job ahead of him/her.

It is hard to fathom that exactly one year ago, Edward Kennedy gave yet another inspirational speech at the DNC. While he seemed fragile and ill, his will seemed as strong as ever.

Edward Kennedy - you will be missed by many, friends and strangers alike.

A Penny for your Thoughts...

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How can the death of someone you don't even know.. and have never even met.. effect you so profoundly?

What is it about humanity that allows you to feel the pain of total strangers, as if it was you that was directly affected?