Dear Gilbert

Brother, I made a promise earlier this year that I would use your departure as my number one reason to pursue and accomplish many things this year.  As you have seen I'm sure, I've been leaping all this year, taking myself to new destinations. One of the things I have been most proud of was the goal I reached in your honor for The American Heart Association.  $1,110 - can you believe that?  Not only did I reach my goal, but I surpassed it.  I did it with the help of family and friends who unselfishly donated hard earned money.  It was such a humbling experience to see everyone come together to create a beautiful selfless act.  I know you are not here physically, but I felt you and your love every step of the way.  I honestly didn't feel I could do something like this by myself, but what I learned along the way is that I am capable of making a difference. 

I had a conversation today with a young woman in the same profession as me and she asked me what my goals were professionally.  I told her I wanted to continue my career in Human Resources to the highest level I could obtain.  I also told her my mission was to one day work for The American Heart Association.  I explained that I had lost you this year and that I wanted to dedicate my life to helping other people, making a difference and working for a company that did just that.  

I often times wish I would have helped educate you more about your heart and your health and at times those thoughts can turn into negativity that ends up torturing me with the thought of what if.  What if I would have helped you more?  What if we as a family would have educated ourselves with your health conditions and devoted ourselves to keeping you healthy before it got to the point that it did?  I know those questions are just lost words because we both know our destiny's are already set and there is no way to escape what God has planned for our lives.  

I want you to know that your life made a difference to me.  I want you to know that your love for God and your teachings to me at a very young age about God made a difference.  I want you to know that your health conditions weren't given to you without a bigger plan.  They were given to you for a purpose and for this moment. They were given to you for me. So I could learn everything I learned this year about faith, family, love, friendship, support, confidence......on and on.   I have learned so much this year I feel that my head and heart will explode with all the wisdom I have gained.  I love you so much and I want you to know that I will continue to do my best to make you proud and to reach out to others and make an impact in their lives.  I want to educate and inform people in the importance of health and the importance of a relationship with God.  

I promise next year I'll aim at bigger and better.

With love always, 

                Your baby sis