FIGHT!

Today would mark my Dad's 71st birthday....gosh that seems so old. In 2006, my dad passed away after a long battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

His birthday always falls around Thanksgiving which to me seems fitting. Since he has passed away, I have never really been angry or asked "why me" or "what did my family do to deserve this." Instead, I took a different approach. I am just incredibly THANKFUL that he was in my life, even it was for a short time. Being bitter and angry isn't going to bring him back; therefore; I choose to cherish the great times I had with him. He still very much alive inside of me.

If it weren't for my dad, I probably wouldn't have a lick of common sense. He taught me how to be independent and self sufficient. Most importantly, he taught me how to fight. Not the "Rocky", Kung-Fu, meet me outside and let's duke it out kind of fight, but to really fight...fight for your life and the things you care about.

It was not a short fight by any means...4 years to be exact. He relapsed 3 times and each time the doctors said it would be the last. Each relapse brought on a new set of complications, but he overcame them and went into remission. It wasn't over till he said it was gonna be over. My Dad told me that he was waiting for me to graduate from college. He wanted to be there in person to me see receive my diploma....no pressure there, right. :) I graduated from Texas State in December of 2005. He passed in January of 2006.

No one has ever fought that hard for me. I owe it to him to fight hard for my life and whatever I want out of it. There is no battle too big. If I fight hard enough, I will win! He will always be the voice in my head telling me 1 more rep, pick up the bar, and move! I am truly blessed and THANKFUL to have had 24 AMAZING years with him.

Peace Out,

Jess