Bilal Yaqub

Bilal Yaqub. My youngest uncle out of eight passed away April 28, 2011 while he was on vacation with his family in Dubai. He was at the beach with his children when a wave took him away while his children were standing right there. They saw their father reappeared on shore breathless. When I heard the news about my uncle I was shocked and right then and there in the front of train station waiting for my brother to pick me up I started crying. I couldn’t believe what I heard and I didn’t what to believe it.
My uncle was the best father, uncle, brother, son, friend one could ask for. You can go up to anyone that knew him and they would agree hundred percent. Once he was committed to do something he will make sure it gets done no matter what happens. That smile of his would never fade, even if he was hurting inside I would always see those shiny white teeth instead of a frown. He was just an all around guy, always bringing people together, helping out his community and being the friendly father he was to his children. He was one of those fathers that would be a child when playing but a parent when needed to be. I did not see him that often (which I regret the most) because he lived in Boston with my aunt and three children. But whenever he did come over to my grandpa’s house, it was a party. He was my grandma’s favorite son so she would always prepare food and make sure we all came over to see him. It is just heart breaking that he left us all so soon and we will never be able to have more family gatherings with him around. You will always be in my prayers and I will always love and miss you <3

Are we ever ready?

You never know what will happen the very next moment. How do you know that the next time you blink your eyes will open? We don’t… that’s why people always say the saying live life like it’s your last. This semester, I really learned the meaning of life and how we should not take everything for granted. Unfortunately, I had to experience this twice this semester. I lost a dear cousin and my youngest uncle on my mother’s side within two months. I was not even over how my cousin passed away when I heard about my uncle. I was just wondering how life can just change in a flash. You can never expect what comes next. It’s been almost three weeks since my uncle passed away and I still can’t believe I will never see him again. Are we ever prepared to hear the news of a loved one passing away? Even if we know they are going to die... answer is no. I had a really close family friend whose father passed away from cancer. They knew he was going to go soon but when the time did come it wasn’t easy. Death is something we all have to accept in life even if deep down we can’t.

Caitlin Richards 34

Cancer

If you win and I lose- then I win

You see, everybody hates you, but I await you

This world has been killing me, everything killing me

I used to be patient, kind, and caring

Now this empty capsule of a being is baring  

Filled to the brim

hatred,pain, and chagrin

Do not drink form me, 

Do and you will drown

Drown in my blissfully wholly dismal demise

Cancer take me away

Hold my hand and let me disband

I bring nothing to this world 

Cancer to you I promise

If I ever leave this world alive, I'll take all of the sadness I left behind

Rip Danyal

My dearest cousin who was only in his early thirties just passed away. I could not be more stunned then ever. It was a complete shock to everyone because not once did he complain of any pain. He had a sudden heart attack and we all know young adults rarely survive heart attacks. May God be with him and may he rest in peace.