Thank You Aunt Jacquie

I would like to thank you for all the encouragement you've given me all of my life. You have always told me I could do anything that I put my mind to. You never criticized my choices, but you always made sure I knew all the options. You treated me like an adult and made me see the good in myself. Now that I am about to graduate, I would just like you to know that I credit a lot of my success in life and high school to you. Without you, I might still be the shy little girl that just got by with B's and C's in all of her classes. You told me I could do much better. You gave me confidence in myself, the respect of others' opinions, as well as my own. You made me realize that no matter what complications come in life, there is always hope in every situation. You showed me the beauty of the arts. I don't know how many times your poetry has inspired me. I loved to listen to you sing the beautiful music you wrote. Those things have made me appreciate all the wonderfully simple things in life.

The way you treated your hospice patients made me decide to go into the medical field. You gave people that were sick and dying so much joy in their last days. I know that if those people could thank you for the things you gave to them, they would. After seeing you with those people I knew that I wanted to do something to help people in similar situations.

Your passion has always inspired me. The way you went at everything you did. You never gave just your all, you went above and beyond. The intensity in which you dealt with Matti. Even though the whole medical profession said he would never live, never walk, never eat solid food, never be able to be a normal child, you always loved him and pushed to prove them all wrong....now he is walking. His favorite food is pizza, and he plays on baseball and soccer teams. You have made such an impact on his life. I don't think he would be where he is today, if he hadn't had you as his Mother.

Niki is one of the brightest, most artistic, talented, and beautiful young girls I know. She reminds me so much of you. She has the same love of music and poetry. And I am sure that when they are both adults, your children will be very wonderful people. They will be examples that love and faith can triumph over every hardship life can throw their way. And this will be because you have taught them this. You have shown them what life can be.

I don't remember a time when someone in our family was having problems that you weren't there. You loved your family so much. We all have had more than our share of difficulties, and yet somehow we have always stuck together and went on.

You have always been like a second Mother to me. I remember the time you took me to get my ears pierced for the first time when I was five and your showing me off to all your friends, telling them what a beautiful girl I was. Some even thought I was your daughter. You always took me places and did things with me. You were the perfect example of the proud Aunt.

Now that you are gone and you never got to see this momentous occasion in my life, I cannot help but wish with all my heart that I had told you how much I love and appreciate you. You have given me something that can never be taken away or tarnished with time. You have given me a love so wonderful that it is awe inspiring sometimes. And from what you have taught me, I know that you will be there right on the stage at my graduation. If NOT physically, then in heart, soul, and spirit. I LOVE YOU, Aunt Jacquie. THANK YOU!

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