Christmas and New Years will never be the same. I received a call from my daughter Christmas Day 2004. She was very sick, but wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas. During the call she told me she wanted to go to the hospital. I told her she needed to have Rick (her boyfriend) take her. She knew something was very wrong and told me before we hung up that she was going to go on into to the hospital and that she loved me.

I received a call on December 27th from Rick telling me she was in ICU in a coma. My husband and I were 4 hours away visiting family for the holiday. We packed and left right away. That was the longest 4 hours for me! I just wanted to get home to my baby. When I walked into the ICU unit and saw Michelle sitting there I about died, the look of horror that was on her face, she didn't know who I was or where she was or anything that was going on around her.

For the next five days I sat there day in and day out just watching my baby die. This was so hard not being able to hold her and talk to her and tell her "I love you baby" and for her to know I was there. The doctors told us she had a Thyroid Storm and that her body just couldn't fight it. On December 29th they told me she was brain dead and ask me to call the family.

I don't remember much of anything after that. The next day was like nothing I can expain. Everything happened so fast. Things were happening to fast and I just wanted to take her and find a place to hide her away to were no one could hurt her any longer. My faith is the only thing that was holding me together.

On December 31st, 2004 at about 2:30 p.m. I signed the papers for my baby to be taken off life support. It still seems like a dream that I haven't woken up from yet. I know one day we will be together again. She left behind two boys ages 6 and 7 and I promised her that I would make sure they were taken good care of. They are the only thing holding me together right now. They are my light.