In Remembrance

In 30 days, I turn 50. I shouldn’t be here. When I was born, the doctors told my parents that I wouldn’t live past two. Well, they were off by just a bit. Because I was born chronically ill, I was able to be a part of things that many people have never experienced.

I have mentioned my camps in previous articles. Camps for kids with organ transplants, kidney disease and heart conditions. I volunteered at various camps for 29 years. In those years, I met so many amazing, strong and inspiring people. Because they were camps for chronically ill children, there was a lot of loss.

In the 30 days before I turn 50, I’m thinking about the people who made an impact in my life who never saw 50. They didn’t even see 40. A majority never even saw 30. Why did I get 50 years, when so many amazing people didn’t even get 30?

I know God has a purpose for my life. I’m still here for a reason. One of those reasons is to keep these names alive. They all have a special place in my heart and live on through me.

• Ed Sullivan 

• Emily Robinson

• Heather Cid 

• Marcus Perry

• Jamarr Jordan

• Andy Kriedle 

• TiAna Hill

• Rachel Fouquet

• Victor White

• Thomas Harris 

• Rashawn Blue

• Sean Lincoln

• Devan Greer

• Macy Denney 

• Colbi Driggers

• Chris Whitson

• Caity Cunningham

• Allie Griner

• Shaw Carter

• Dominique Brunner

• Axel Martinez

• Joe Johnson Jr. 

• Arjun Chopra

• Dee Turner

• Rupert Howard

• Breezy 

• Ray Ray

• Margaret Lively

• Doug Leonard

• Jon Allmett

A lot of these people were campers, but they were all my friends. I’m going to keep living because they didn’t have a full life to live.