SOML

Death. It really is true that it comes like a thief in the night. One minute everything is status quo, and the next, your whole life is turned upside down. The loss I feel at the death of my grandmother is incomparable. Through this sickle journey that I have been on, she had been an avid cheerleader in my successes and solid counsel in times of failure. I'd call my grandma and we'd talk and laugh for hours. She taught me so much about love and sacrifice. You see, grandma came to look after my sisters and I when my mother was stationed in Korea. I remember our afternoon walks to school and the feeling of community. As we aged, grandma stayed in Colorado and was very rooted. She worshipped at church, met up with friends for lunch and remained wholly independent despite never driving, nor expressing any desire to learn how to drive. But she missed her hometown of Baltimore, MD. So grandma left us in Colorado and took another journey across the country in 2009.  Even thoug

Each time that I have a procedure or operation in which I have to go under general anesthesia I write a letter to my friends and loved ones.  I make sure that I get in contact with everyone who means something to me. I make sure that I make amends.  Because I am currently averaging a surgery a year, this is a good way to keep the slate clean. It gives you perspective on what you have to do in this life, where your life is headed, what's important, what and who is NOT. I have to reset my priorities to make sure they align with where my life is headed. Do I have to let some people go? Yes. Do I have to be honest with myself? Absolutely. Do I know that unexpected things can happen and there is nothing you can do about it no matter how hard you try to mitigate disaster? Yup. 2017 Sucked. I entered the year full of hope and possibility like all years previous. I knew that I needed a hip replacement. I signed up for it since the pain in my right hip was excruciating. I reached