Hello Everyone! So, for those of you who may (or may not know), today is ICCD (International Childhood Cancer Day) so I felt it was only appropriate that I write about how Alexa has changed my life without actually being here.
As many of you know, Alexa died of Neuroblastoma a month before her second birthday, which was about a year or so before I was born. So I never necessarily met her, even though I still feel like she’s here with me today. Whenever I bring that up there are people who genuinely think I’m insane and I’m just in denial. Trust me, I’ve accepted the fact that she is gone, but it doesn’t seem real! I talk to her all the time and go on and on about what my life is like, so our heart to heart sister talks happen at least five plus times a week. She changed my life the day I was born. Being born after a child who died isn’t ideal but it happens. Since I could remember I connected with her since I was little and I always remember being interested in what happened to her and all of the facts because again, I knew right off the bat it wasn’t right.
If my sister never passed away, I don’t think I would’ve uncovered my love for public speaking and sharing my story. Speaking + writing comes to be naturally, and I think that’s genuinely because of Alexa. If Alexa would’ve never passed away, I know I wouldn’t be as educated as I am nor would I have been so passionate about childhood cancer. I feel so honored to have done things like wrote letters to the government about funding, education peers + being a part of events for our foundation. If Alexa were still here my life would not be how it is now, it’s like a domino effect. Throughout this process, I’ve been about as positive as possible. Whenever I thing up my sister, I smile and I laugh; not because I’m happy that she’s gone, but because I know Alexa wouldn’t want me to cry over it, she’d want her story shared so her voice is heard, and right now? That’s my job as her *lowkey favorite ONLY* little sister.
Remember, together we can make a difference.
xoxo, alivia <3