10...

I was contemplating whether or not to do a blog post today. Majority of the things I blog about are up beat, happy, and silly. But today is a sad day because it marks the 10th anniversary of my beloved father passing away. I sit here sharing this personal day and moment of my life so publicly because this is life. Life isn't perfect as seen on social media, life isn't pretty with a bow on it at all times - life is messy. Dealing with the loss of my father at a young age was rough. However my family and I were fortunate enough to prepare for it and this was a the greatest blessing in disguise. My father battle colon cancer for 4 years before he ultimately passed away. Around Christmas time is when it became terminal and he went into hospice care. My family and I had about three weeks to prepare and fully grasp the situation. It was a hard time for me - hearing that your dad is not going to live any longer is not something you expect to hear or deal with as a teenager. In the remaining days I spent with him I cherished every moment, talked for hours, and were surrounded by family and friends. I remember being sad but at the same time I felt comfort due to the amount of love I received by our family and friends.

 My dad was a wonderful man who taught me many valuable lessons in the short but sweet 15 years of my life he was present. My mother says I am very much my father's daughter - I inherited his love for life, adventure, travel, photography, arguing (I'm never wrong), laughter, goofiness, and his looks. 

His motto was Live, Love, Learn, & Leave a Legacy. 

He lived life to the fullest, loved wholeheartedly, always yearned to learn (he has five degrees), and left a profound legacy. 

To learn more about my father's legacy please visit here.

"I am a bird, and this body was my cage, 

Whence I have now floron forth and it is left as a token
Praise to God, who hath now set me free 
And prepared for me my place in the highest of the heaven."