My Aunt Andrea was a strong, athletic loving person. She was vibrant and full of life. In August of 2008, she passed away after a two-year battle with brain cancer. I have a special place in my heart for her. Although she is not physically here, she will always be a part of my life.
I love being involved in sports. I have played soccer, basketball and golf since I was five years old. My Aunt Andrea also loved competing in sports, and her favorite sport was volleyball. She was a high school all-star and had a very successful college career. Being physically fit and healthy were important aspects in her life. She passed this onto her three children as well as her nieces and nephews. Since I was the oldest of her nephews, we developed a special bond.
Every summer my Aunt Andrea and Uncle Donald would run a two week basketball camp. It was always something to look forward to at the end of the school year. It was so much fun learning new dribbling and shooting drills, defense and, of course, to look forward to the end of the school year. It was even better because I was with my older sister, Kristen, and my six cousins. Every morning we would get up at seven o’clock to eat breakfast. Each morning my Aunt Andrea would make something different for us to eat. We had pancakes, waffles, French toast, sausage, eggs and bacon. At the same time she was making breakfast, she would ask the cousins what kind of sandwich we would like for lunch. It was fun to watch her make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ham sandwiches and, of course, my favorite, rolled up bologna with no bread. Every day she would ask me, “Ryan, are you sure that’s how you want it?” and every day I would say, “Yep that’s it.”
During the day at camp, she was always making sure I was enjoying myself and telling me to drink more water. One of my favorite things was during lunch. She would sit with me and teach me to stretch. She would explain in great detail the importance of stretching and how it could improve my game. I loved getting the special attention from her but I found stretching to be boring. However, now, before each game that I play in, I will stretch for thirty minutes to get my muscles warmed up and ready to compete. I can still hear her voice telling me what to do. It brings back such a good memory I shared with my Aunt Andrea.
After the day at camp, we would go back to the house and swim in the pool for hours. My Aunt Andrea would sit and watch us. She would be the judge when we had our diving contests.
Unfortunately all of this changed after she was diagnosed with brain cancer. At first everything she did seemed to be the same. However, as time passed, my aunt Andrea, the person who I always knew as vibrant and full of life, was now struggling to live. It was very difficult for me to watch how she became less and less involved in the basketball camp and at home. Watching my aunt Andrea looking at her three children and knowing that she was not going to be able to help them and watch them grow left me crushed. As this debilitating disease progressed, it was incredible to eyewitness all the responsibilities that were left for her three children and my uncle to carry out. She was unable to work at the camp, and I really missed our lunchtime stretching sessions. This was always a special time for her and me and now it was gone. I was so upset. She would try to make breakfast but would get annoyed because she could not remember what she was doing. One of the worst days for me was when she could not remember my name. I could not believe she did not know my name. I felt so sad. I just wanted to cry. She could not make our lunches anymore. It was so heartbreaking to watch all of the cousins making their own lunches. Try to picture eight children in the kitchen trying to make their own lunch. It was a disaster. I really miss watching Aunt Andrea make our lunches.
The basketball camp in the summer of 2008 was the most difficult for me. My Aunt Andrea was unable to get out of bed. It was heart wrenching to see her physical appearance deteriorate. My sister could not go in to see Aunt Andrea because of the way she looked. Kristen said it was scary for her to just say hello. My sister would cry and be visibly upset just thinking about what Aunt Andrea was going through. I wanted to be strong for my sister. As hard it was, I forced myself to say good morning and hug Aunt Andrea every day that I was there.
The day that she died, I was playing golf with my dad. When he answered his phone, I knew at that moment my favorite aunt had passed away. My Aunt Andrea showed me incredible strength and willpower in the face of adversity. She taught me about perseverance, hard work and determination.
Each year on the anniversary of her death, my family and I write notes on index cards, attach them to balloons and let them fly into the sky. It is a great way for me to remember my Aunt Andrea and the special place I have in my heart for her.
This summer will be third year without my Aunt Andrea at the basketball camp. I know she would be so proud of me. I am now an instructor at the camp. I am the person helping young children improve their basketball skills. I am the one showing the campers how to stretch. Yes, I know she would be proud. Do you know how I know this? This past Christmas my uncle gave me a letter my Aunt Andrea had written while she was sick. In the letter she told me what an amazing young person I was and how proud she was of me. She was the amazing person. Even in death my Aunt Andrea continues to have a tremendous impact on my life. I will never forget her. I love her and miss her so much.