My
Childhood
Born,
raised and educated in Southern California, I was the 7th of 8
children. I was blessed with 2 brothers and 5 sisters and I'm
so grateful to have them. My parents worked very hard to provide
for all of us and sometimes, I can't imagine how they did it.
Best of all, we all turned out to be really great people with
families of our own.
My parents we're my first great inspirations in life. My father
taught me so much about being a responsible person and the value
of having a great work ethic. He instilled in me that hard work
and commitment were everything. He passed away about 13 years
ago and I know he's watching me from above. I miss him everyday
of my life.
My mother is my guardian angel and pillar of strength. She taught
and is still teaching me so much about love, happiness and faith.
The list can go and on but most importantly, she taught me to
believe in my dreams and never let anyone or anything take them
away.
Love
you Mom!
My family went through a lot with me. You see, I was a very sick
little girl. At age 2, I was struck with severe pneumonia and
was admitted to Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.
However, the worst was due to a tricycle accident at age 5. My
hip joint was badly bruised, then abscessed which caused a severe
staph infection to spread throughout my entire body. At a critical
point, the doctors, again at Children's Hospital, called in the
priest to prepare my family for what was about to happen. My heart
stopped and I was "code blue" not once, but twice. They
were certain this little girl was not going to make it.
In an effort to save my life, the physicians performed a radical
emergency surgery and they scraped away a portion of my hip joint
to remove the worst of the infection. My family was informed that
"if" I survived this trauma, I would never be able to
walk again. I was in a full body cast and in bed for 6 months
after the surgery. They were certain I'd be confined to a wheelchair
for the rest of my life. I'd say I proved that theory wrong and
made it through that one pretty well.
But
once again, (if that wasn't enough), at age 7, another emergency
surgery was needed due to a ruptured appendix.
I'm a spiritual person and I believe we're all here for a purpose
and we've all been given a gift to share. Perhaps I survived all
my early traumas because I have a job to do and my purpose needs
to be met. I believe that purpose is to SHARE, SUPPORT and INSPIRE
others by touching as many people as I can with the positive message
of health and wellness.
