I wanted to post the speech Anna gave at her 8th grade moving up night ceremony last week. She was one of two kids chosen to share their self reflection essay written for English class. She did a wonderful job and moved the entire auditorium to tears.. Her words left me speechless (I had no idea ahead of time what it would be about!) so I thought it would be so nice to share with all of you!
Here's a video link of her actual speech - although the first few lines are a little garbled
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4kuavxuhzEAnna Pullano April 23, 2009
English Final Draft, Self Reflection
You have it better
You’ve probably heard the phrases, “Be happy with what you have, because you’ve got it better than others,” or “Look how good you have it compared to them,” many times before. You’ve probably heard it when you wanted something new or better really badly, or was in a fight with a loved one, or when you saw the poor and less fortunate. I’ve heard this phrase my fair share of times, believe me, but it never really stuck with me, and I never really thought about it, until I experienced something that greatly affected my life. It wasn’t until about a year ago from now, that I realized how much those words mean.
Have you gotten into a fight or argument with someone you care about? Have you ever said something hurtful to a loved one, or thought about saying it? I think most of us have. And looking back on the days where I said things to the ones I care about which were hurtful or mean, I fully regret saying them. I’m not saying I don’t get into arguments, nobody’s perfect, but I no longer think or say the harsher things that once came to my mind.
Over the past fourteen months, I’ve been through many rough times, and I’ve experienced things luckier people won’t ever have to experience in their entire lifetime. When I turned thirteen, my four-year-old brother was diagnosed with brain cancer. It never occurred to me, the events that could be lying ahead for us. I figured everything would be over soon, just a rough patch my family and I would easily get through. I didn’t realize how serious it all actually was. Those next nine months, were the longest months of my life, and eight months later, I still have nightmares. But to those who knew me, I was your average seventh-grade girl, I just happened to have a brother with an extremely rare brain cancer living at the hospital who I would visit every other day. But I don’t think many people noticed, or realized that I was living a nightmare. I tried to forget about my brother’s sickness, and think that it was all the way it used to be. And it wasn’t until about seven or eight months later that I realized how far apart I had grown from my brother, or how much worse his sickness was becoming. Then almost nine months later, my brother had lost all his hair, had enormous cheeks, and was spending his days in a wheelchair. He was in constant pain. He looked as though a beast had attacked him and taken over his body. A few weeks later he slipped into a coma, and not much longer after that he was gone. For the first few months, I couldn’t seem to accept the fact that he was gone, and when I allowed myself to accept reality, my eyes became waterfalls. But again, I tried to hide the pain. I would cry alone in places like the shower or in bed, until I didn’t cry as much. Even though it hurt, my brother’s death brought my family closer together and made us realize how lucky we are to have each other and the memory of my brother, because some people don’t have anybody.
I’d give anything to be able to say my brother was still here today, and cancer was never a part of our lives, but unfortunately I can’t. This story isn’t meant for pitying or sadness, but it’s to tell those who hear it to love and enjoy who and what they have right now, because there are many people out there with stories like mine, who don’t have the things they once had to be happy and grateful for. And it still hurts now just as much as it did in the beginning, I think it always will, but I’ve learned to accept it and be grateful for what I have. Everything happens for a reason.
We're so proud of Nichole this week also - she achieved 2nd degree Black Belt in Karate! My video of her performance didn't turn out so I can't share it but Lavallees put on a terrific fun performance!
Thanks for all the prayers and cards for Mom. She is settled in to a Cancer wellness clinic in Texas where she is receiving total body care in preparation for chemo. She will be starting her first round any day now and the team of "God-sent" doctors are dedicated to helping her fight her disease in every way possible!
Mikey has been hard at work for the past couple weeks :)! 
