Acknowledgements
There are those people in your life that mean so much to you that you can not imagine life without them. I am very lucky & grateful to have so many of these people in my life. This portion of the book was an absolute must for me because none of this would have been possible without these beautiful souls keeping my spirits up each day! Love you all and I appreciate all that you have added and continue to add to my life.
Ryan: By far, the most unique human I have ever met with the biggest heart. Makes everyday interesting with his bad jokes that he forgets the punch lines to and attempts at singing. He never made me feel like I was sick or helpless during my treatments. I learn from you every single day. You push me to be the best version of me. Thank you for all that you do to keep our home (where we lay) a safe and peaceful place for me to heal and recover. I love you.
Mom: You may have left this earth in the physical sense, but you have never left my life in the spiritual sense. One of my first thoughts at diagnosis was that I can't leave so soon after you did. I NEED to be here for Kyle still. I miss you every single day. And I know you can hear me when I read to you each morning during meditation.
Mom: So many times in 2020 I thought to myself, it is best you are not here to live through all of this. Living during a pandemic with ALS would have been very scary. And it would have broken all of our hearts that would not have been able to be there for you like we were in 2019. I also know that you would have been worried sick about me going through cancer treatment in Dallas - so far away from you. I do believe that stress and grief contributed to my diagnosis. I also believe however, that there isn't any other way to lose a parent other than to sacrifice your own health for them to enjoy the last moments of their lives.
Kyle, Brittany, Cameron, and Bryce: You all make me so happy. One of my reasons I fight this disease every day. I want to be there to see the boys graduate from high school I want to be there for more holidays in the country. I love you all so much and thank you for sending me all of the beautiful photos all summer while I was in the depths of chemotherapy.
The Tropiano/Caires: So much to say about this photo! Taken in Mystic, CT where I went to High School. My aunt Jayne is holding me at age... well a few months or so! My uncle Joe passed too young but he has been force in all of our lives through the years. We have been through tough times but the bond to my aunt Jayne has remained pure and strong. Cousins Chris & Michael, thank you for your love and support.
Mrs Hobbs: Your laugh is contagious and I have to truly thank you for stepping in and being a mother figure to me in 2020 when I needed it the most. I look forward to our evening FaceTime calls and texting our dinners to each other! Can't wait to be there with you for three whole weeks in December 2020!
Deepak: One of my oldest friends who knew me way back when I used to eat from the street meat carts in Astoria, Queens! A talented musician & teacher who has inspired so many kids to be the best version of themselves. That inspiration spills over into his personal life and those who are lucky enough to be his friend reap the benefits.
Rafael: 20 years and counting of friendship! Your smile and laughter has filled me with so much joy since the first time we met near the lockers at Crate & Barrel. My fellow 90s indie rock lover who's vivacity for life is truly something to behold! Never change, you are perfect, and I love you.
Sophia: I can actually call you a lifesaver! If it wasn't for your cousin Flora sending me the 2nd surgeon who was still practicing despite Covid, its possible that I could have been stage 3 or worse by the time I had surgery. So many words pop into my head when I think of you: Graceful, Intelligent, Curious, Empowering, Adaptable, I could go on and on. So glad our friendship lasted way past our years at SHS.
April: If a persons joy and kindness could jump out of a photo and give you a hug - that would sum up the amount of love this girl has! I think of her and all of the memories we have made over the years and I smile. It is shocking to me that we met at a silly Craigslist job in 2008 and forged such a strong bond. I will forever be grateful for you and your friendship. Anthony as well for being there for me during one of the 1st hardest thing I have had to face in life. Not knowing the the 2nd hardest thing was right around the corner!
Amy: I am 100% confident that you were the kindest person in all of Providence RI in 2002. I am so very happy we found each other at the Crate & Barrel in the mall. Friends for life almost immediately. Some people just feel like family when you meet them and that is how I felt when we met. Thank you for all of those years of me coming home for the holidays and meeting me for dinner, drinks, & gift giving!
Carmen: The most loyal person I know. A true ride or die friend who is always down to be there for you even if what you're doing is not the best idea! I could not have asked for a better person to run around NYC in my 20s with. Our times together there were so amazing and I hold them all dear to my heart - even the times we had a bit too much to drink. And I will of course never forget the time you held my hand while my chin was being sewn back together. Love you girl!
Erika: The first person who was nice to me and took a real interest in getting to know me when I moved to Dallas. We text each other so often it seriously feels like you are my sister! Your kind soul warms my heart. I hope I provide even half the amount of warmth and support to you that you give to me. Thank you for all the check ins & smiles during treatment!
Theresa: This photo captures your kind and open spirit beautifully. My favorite thing about Theresa is her willingness to try anything new - especially when it comes to crafting. She is graceful, kind, & a talented artist. I could not have accomplished this book without her. Honored to call her a good friend and an excellent partner to Joyce when planning our next big friends get away!
Joyce: Over the years our friendship has grown into something beautiful. I'm always appreciative of your honesty and I admire your strength. Unapologetically yourself 100% of the time and we should learn to live this way! Also a master at planning group vacations with your partner in crime Theresa!
Cousin Karen & Robbie: I am so very grateful that my grandmother Rita, my mom, and your mom got to talking and told us both that we were both living in NYC in the early 2000s. I was over the moon that I had a family member living in NYC with me and I was so excited to meet you! When we did finally meet I thought to myself, she is SO cool & successful. Living in an apartment in the Atlas Building - where all of the first few seasons of Project Runway contestants lived! I loved dog sitting for you there and spending time discovering cool bars you found off the beaten path of Midtown. You are like a sister to me and I can't have more memories with you & your beautiful little boy.
Naomi: I love that despite working at the same job, we officially met and become friends because your husband recognized my shorts at a bike race in Oklahoma! Your calming demeanor is contagious. I miss our movie dates and long conversations in the lobby of the theater discussing life and what we just watched. Thank you for being my best girlfriend in Dallas!
Allison: So happy we have stayed in touch over the years after our crazy 10 months at FIT. A forever Cali girl making a beautiful life in NYC. Your matter of fact way of looking at life is the perfect balance to the day dreamer in me. My go-to for all things weaving and astrology. I am so happy to have you as a part of my story and thank you for being there for me during my recovery.
Lauren: I am SO very proud of how far you've grown and changed over these last few years. You are truly a super cool NYC girl that I am honored to call a dear friend. Thank you so much for your support and all of the gifts during my treatment. All of them were so thoughtful and helpful. I can't wait for the day we can meet for brunch in BK again!
Tim & Brian: Your love for one another is so very beautiful and inspiring. Tim - you make me laugh SO hard every time we speak. Remember our Swedish blonde twins photo from some weekend trip we all took somewhere in nature? We NYCers at that time were so excited to be in nature we had to sniff all of the botanicals we passed by! Ryan and I had so much at your wedding and it was so nice to spend time with both of your families and dear friends.
Paola, Jordan & Liv: Dallas has not been the same without you. We miss hosting dinners parties for 4 with you and grabbing tacos every Tuesday. Thank you both for routing for me during treatment. Its people like you that remind me that I am going to kick the sh*t out of cancer! We can't wait to hit the trails in AR with you soon!
Rebecca: I honestly could not have been paired with a better partner during our 2018 CorePower yoga training! Thank you for making Dallas feel more like a home by being such a good friend to me. Of course your photo had to have a kitty in it - I will never tire of seeing your cat photos. I really wish we had gotten the chance to do our 90s rock joint yoga class!
Bear & Cub: You both HAD to be included in the acknowledgements. You both made so many moments during the 2020 lockdown more enjoyable. You brought smiles to our faces and kept me warm on the couch when the side effects were too much to handle. We love you both fur babies!