I have SO many Angels in Heaven!

Life is SO hard! I know for a fact that I could take this entire blog post and talk about all of the difficult, stupid, ridiculous, annoying, etc things in my life but what good would that do? Today, my uncle Rick died after years and years of being confined to his bed due to Multiple Sclerosis. He had every single reason in the world to be bitter and complain ALL the time and honestly I dont think anyone would have stopped him if he had. But he didnt. He ALWAYS had a smile on his face and a funny story or joke to tell. He had the heart of a child and was so optimistic! He would always make me feel like I was the smartest kid ever and would give me a "thumbs up" whenever I accomplished something! I wasn't very close to him. Not by choice but honestly, in my family we all kind of do our own thing. We all arent very close. But he was still an amazing example to me that life is hard and sometimes it just sucks. Sometimes you get dealt a bad hand but you dont quit the game! Instead, be grateful that you are even able to play at all. 

Tonight, I called my mom to see if she was okay because my sister called her earlier to inform her of her brother's passing. She said that she came home and saw the picture of him and his son, Joe, and it was just soo precious that she just had to cry tears of happiness. Because he no longer had to suffer. He no longer has to watch the world around him from that hospital bed. He no longer has to be hooked up to machines and can take care of himself. He has been reunited with his mother, father and other family members that have gone on before him. 

According to the family, he was recently visited by his mother (who died when I was pretty young) and she told him to not be afraid. He would sometimes get really scared. Especially if he had to go to the hospital or something. I remember one time he had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance and I was closer to the hospital than anyone else. My mom told me to go and be with him so that he would have at least one familiar face. I was to tell him that it was okay and that my momma (Nisey) was on the way. Looking back on that experience, I am even more excited to be a nurse. To love and care for my patients like they were my own family. To be there and assure them that it is going to be okay. 

Tonight I went for a run and thought about him and what his life and example really meant to  me. I am not old enough to remember his entire life but what I am able to remember is the Uncle Rick who always had LOTS of gum and would share it with me. He loved to record tv shows on VHS and gave us SO many episodes of I Love Lucy because he knew we loved it. He LOVED fast food, especially taco bell. He was so encouraging even about the smallest things and would give us "thumbs up" when we made good grades. 

My grandmother's dying wish was that her son would be taken care of. My aunt, Dianne and her husband Tom took such good care of him and I know that it must be a relief for them to know that he is no longer suffering. 

Although, it is hard to say goodbye to some one you love, think about how amazing it will be to say "hello" again!

A friend of mine started a challenge on Facebook in honor of her brother, Byron. When Byron was younger he was in a really bad car accident and has since been confined to a wheelchair. She is calling this challenge "Tri-N for Byron". The goal is to run/walk/bike/ etc 27 miles for Byron since it has been 27 years since his car accident. I personally do not know Byron but I love my friend, Beth and I know how much she loves him. So, I have accepted this challenge but I will not only be running for Byron but also for my Uncle Rick. 

I am so grateful for my healthy body and so thankful that I have been given a second chance at life. I have been blessed with the opportunity to start over and be better. I thank God everyday for that blessing and all of the blessings that will come because of it.

Uncle Rick and his son, Joe. Look at that smile! =)