These past two weeks have been filled quite depressing, life awakening, and heart warming moments. One of my instructors who taught me the first year of Nursing passed away on February 13, 2007. Our class along with several other classes were collecting money to have roses delivered to his hospice on Valentine's day, unfortunately they didn't make it, instead they will now be buried with him in his memory. This instructor of mine taught me more about myself than any other instructor I have encountered with. His loving spirit, his thoughtful gestures and warm smile brought me to where I am today within my program. I struggled the first two years of nursing school as  I didn't know if this program was for me. However, it was this particular instructor who taught me to be confident, to keep working hard with head held high and to keep an open and positive mind towards the end of this journey. And now with one more year to go, I have him to thank for that...

Mr. Ritchie..Rest in Peace.

A week later, On Sunday, February 18, 2007, another friend passed away. Although he wasn't a very close friend since he lived in San Francisco, he was still an important of my life especially with KP. Sam Largo was a member of Likha Folk Ensemble in SF, and he would come to Vancouver to help with the technical operations for our shows. He was also an inspiration to many of the dancers and become a good friend to most of us. He was full of life as most would say, he can light up a room with his smile in a heartbeat. He pushed many of us to our fullest potentials. I remember him telling me and encouraging me to keep trying whenever I messed up and he would always find ways to make me laugh when things got stressful. He died at a young age of 37 due to complications from kidney failure. Sam Largo, you will be truly missed and remembered. May you rest in Peace with our Lord.

These past two incidents have broadened my perspective on life. They have both proven to me that life is short, life does go on and we must continue to be the best people that we can be. These two people were living examples of that.They both worked hard in everything they did, they did not once  complain about their illnesses, instead were humble enough to put others before them. Now they can rest in peace smiling while those who cared for them are crying because they were such a big part of their lives. Although it may be hard at times, I will remind myself to live life to the fullest, to not let my worries take hold of me and to place others before me...