My younger sister took her own life. She suffered from depression for most of her adult life. When younger, she self medicated with alchohol and illegal drugs like many depressed people do. The family finally stepped in and "tough loved" her into rehab.

She came out clean and sober and was in treatment for her disease. She went back to school and became a teacher. She first taught in St. Paul and then in Farmington, MN.

She loved teaching and a true testament to her teaching was the number of past and present students who attended her wake and funeral mass. The church was so packed that people were in the basement viewing it on closed circuit TV.

I happened to meet one of her students here in NY a few years ago, small world huh? He told me she was the best teacher he ever had.

I am glad I convinced her to join us on a family vacation in July of 1998. She was reluctanct to go but I convinced her. The whole family rented a house on the Outer Banks. It was the last time many of us saw her.

So V, I love you and miss you every day.