When I was 5 years old I lost my mother to Hodgkin's disease. I was adopted by my aunt and uncle, who took me in and loved me as their own. Even through all the love of my family I was still heartbroken losing my mother at such a young age. I longed for her to be there. I had an emptiness inside that only a person who lost a parent can understand. It made it even harder that I was born on my mother's birthday and now every year I would have to celebrate my life without her. How could I celebrate living when my mother died at the age of 29? She was deprived of her life due to her illness. I went through all of my teenage life wanting to be with my mother. At whatever cost I would be with her. Survival for me was writing everything down. Besides losing my mother I lost many people growing up. I lost my grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, and my niece at a very young age. This changed my life forever. I was now thirteen years old and yet again a death caused my heart to break. As an adult now I still long for my mother's face, her voice, her smile. It doesn't get any easier no matter how much time has passed. I just re-evaluated the way I now handle this loss. Every day lived is another day my mother walks with me down the path of life. I know that I have a lot of angels looking over me, which keeps me going day to day. I have been very lucky in my life. I have an amazing family and amazing friends I get to share my life with. I thank God for them every day. They are the only reason I am still alive today. I want to thank all of you who are so special to me.