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Norma
My name is Norma Arviso. I am a mother of four wonderful children, 12 grandchildren, and I have been married for 46 years. Just like everyone else reading this page, my whole life has revolved around my family. I love them dearly, and they know that. My current diagnosis is troubling, and I am worried. Not for myself, but for all of my loved ones that I may leave behind.
I was born on Ocotober 25, 1940 in Mexico. I was the first born of 12 children, so this should tell you a lot about how I value my family and loved ones. At a young age, I was primarily responsible for the upbringing of my siblings because my mother worked 4 jobs just to earn capital to raise her family properly. My father left us at a young age. Even though this may make some children bitter, I still loved him with all of my heart and this will never change.
At the young age of 18, I married my husband Johnnie O. Some people always talk about trying to find their soulmate, the only one in this world who will complete them. I am proud to say that this is the man, and I was one of the lucky people in this world to find their soulmate. We both rely on each other for emotional support and our well being. He is my flame, and I know that I am his flame to living. If my flame goes out, I know that his may too. This is something I don't want, so my fight with this illness will not overcome my love for him. He will be my guardian angel, and will help me overcome OUR fight.
My children. What can I say? I have wonderful kids. My first born was Rosemary. She is a nurse, therefore she is an intelligent person with the biggest heart in the world. I look to her for advice all the time. She has 3 children of her own, who I love with all my heart. She has done an excellent job in raising all of them, and I know they will all be as great and loving as their mother.
My second child, Margaret, is a strong person. Strong as in emotionally independent. She has three children who are just like her. She reminds me a lot of myself, and I count on her to take care of my family in the future.
My third child is John Jr. He is a police officer, and this will tell you a lot about him. He will always be there to take care of his siblings, and all of his sisters look up to him for guidance and protection. He has two children who have his exact traits.
My last and youngest daughter is Veronica. Veronica is a strong, independent, and realistic person. She is the one for whom I believe to be the most nurturing and caring out of them all. I see her as being the one who will hurt the most when I pass, but she will be there to take care of all my family no matter what the circumstance they are in. She has four children, two of which are twins. Having twins should tell you a lot about what she has been through, and this is why she is such a caring person.
My name is Norma Arviso. You and I have a lot in common after all. We may both have an illness, but we all have loving families that we know will back us up through thick and thin. They need us, and we need them. Love will cure all, and I look to my family to cure me. I know their love will overcome this illness because I will fight until the end to see them grow.
I look to my illness as a lesson. A lesson not only to me and my family, but to all others out there. This lesson is that family and friends are all you have. All those whose hearts you touch and do good for in life have some way of expressing thanks one day, even if you never know it.
This is why I will not cease to fight my illness, and neither will those I love. I will not give up because I have so much to live for. I still have to see my grandkids grow, and their children grow. Nothing will stand in my way, and I mean nothing. It is up to me not to ever give up hope...just like it is up to US ALL.
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