Take a Second...

and reflect.
Take a second and breathe.
Take a moment and be grateful for what you have.
Take a moment and love and be loved.
Take a moment and appreciate the life you have.

It's a sad time.  A UIC Soccer athlete who played for the Flames when I was a student was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 28 in November, 2010.  18 months later, on April 10, 2012 he passed away, months away from his 30th birthday. I last saw Patrick at his fundraiser in April 2011.  Not knowing I had cancer at that time, I saw a brave man that exuded positivity and grace. Patrick was in a motorized wheel chair and his body and its' function had began to deteriorate.  He had no control of his speech and his movement.  But he still had his mind, his will power and the sparkle and charm in his eyes. He was always, ALWAYS, a kind person when we spoke in the past during our college years and even in April when I last saw him.  It's unfortunate that he was dealt a shitty hand.  To be diagnosed with an incurable disease at such a young age is awful.  He was the youngest to be diagnosed in his home town in New Mexico where he spent the rest of his twenties.  My heart goes out to his family and his close friends.    The message I want to be taken away from this is that our life is very precious.  My hate for disease is greater now more than ever.  But I won't let that get in the way of living my life.  Patrick was an inspiration.  He knew his time was short after being diagnosed but he educated the world about ALS, his fight and his spirit. I didn't know him as well as others but I did know that he was loved by many. His shining energy glistened every second of his life. He is an inspiration and will always inspire, from up above.  And he will continue to shine.

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/sports/former-lobo-soccer-star-dies-from-als