PEOPLE/PETS THAT HAS INSPIRED ME!

Sister

I admire my sister's inner strength, determination and courage to keep her family together and happy. She has a very difficult challenge of taking care of my niece who has a rare form of cancer. I give my niece, who is a young girl a lot of credit for her courage to get the surgery, chemo and radiation therapy. I am proud of her for fighting the fight!

My brother-in-law is also very ill with multiple medical conditions, which one of them affects his heart. So my sister has quite alot on her plate. May God give her and her family the strength to continue and be positive and be as healthy as they can be.

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Half-Sister

I am truly sorry that you were diagnosed with cancer in the brain. I wish I had known about your severe headaches and migraines. You were so secretive and private about personal matters pertaining to health or anything . I guess you didn't want us to worry about you. You died at such a young age and so suddenly and instantaneously that you didn't suffer very long. You definitely were on the express route to Heaven.

I admire you because you sacraficed your whole life for your family. You have strong family ties and taught your kids values, morals and ethics. You have strong convictions when it came to family and they were your #1 priority.

When you came to America from China, you worked very hard to assimilate into the culture and customs. You never complained about anything and worked hard to give your family a new life and was happy to be living in America. I love and miss you dealry! May you rest in peace.

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Brother

My brother has had his share of demons with alcohol and drugs. He has gone through rehab and has totally cleaned himself out. He has been sober (alcohol/drug free) for more than two decades. I am very proud of him. He has become a "sponsor" to buddy and mento others who are in need of moral support.

He was diagnosed with throat cancer last year, it was all due to smoking heavily throughout his life. He has a hole in his throat from the surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. Now it has spread to the neck and there is nothing the doctors can do for him. His job laid him off because he took too many days off for his surgery and treatment.

He is currently trying to sell his house in VA. His wife left him and has taken the kids with her. She is ill also and both are raising two young toddlers (boy & girl) and a household of dogs and cats.

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Daughter

When I was married, my ex-husband tried to kill me. He wrapped the telephone cord around my neck and I passed out due to lack of oxygen. I was unconscious and I was dying, I saw the white light and the tunnel pulling me in faster and faster.

Then all of a sudden, I heard a voice. A small tiny voice from my daughter who said, "Mommy, where are you? Wake up, wake up?" When I heard those words subconsciously or unconsciously, I slowly started to drift back to reality and life. I had to fight to stay alive.

At that moment, if my daughter hadn't call me, I would have died but she saved my life. I will always remember that very moment. Half into Heaven and one half still in this existence.

I woke up with no knowledge about what has happened except for the strangulation. I did remember falling and passing out and woke up with bruises all over my body. I don't remember being beating that severely until i woke up.

Fast forward. to 2009, my daughter successfully completed college with honors. During that time while stll a student she coordinated a major college play production, "The Vagina Monologues" all on her own. The production was to raise funds and awareness on the topic of preventing domestic violence on a world wide basis. That was one of the many success and proud moments that I had. I felt that my daughter was carrying on my mission to help women who cannot defend themselves. You are the greatest!

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Son

His father tried to strangle him in broad daylight with his bare hands. When he came home from a visitation, I immediately saw hand prints that resemble welts all over his neck. I immediately called the police and he was arrested. However, as justice has it they let him go on his own recognizance. He was ordered to go to anger management classes and that was it?! Is there no justice in this world?!

My son lost a lot of memory due to lack of oxygen from his assault. I give him alot of credit for his courage and his determination to continue to be hopeful in his life. He never gave up, there were times when he just wanted to throw in the towel and said "forget about it! and didn't want to live any longer" .

But I have to keep strong for him and my family to contine to keep going in life. You are a great and wonderful son!

I am so fortunate and truly blessed to have such great friends that are loyal and kind. They have stuck with me through thick and thin, side by side to help me through some rough patches in my life. This section is to let them know that our friendship is not in vain and that I cherish each and every one of them for their uniqueness. Each one of my friends are so special and I LOVE THEM WITH ALL OF MY HEART!

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING THERE FOR ME!

Alice

We have known each other since undergrad in the good ole days at City College. You were my first asian friend but we had a lot of things in common besides our ethnic roots. You have done so much for me and my family over the years that words cannot express the deep gratitude and thanks I have for you!

You are an inspiration to me because you have had such high profile jobs but yet you remain humble and modest. You climbed the ladder of success with such dignity and never with a chip on your shoulders. You worked for the Mayor in the past and it didn't phase you one bit. AMAZING!

I still remember that hot day in the summer, when you used to live in the Bronx and it took us hours to walk downtown to Chinatown. It was a personal challenge to see if we can do it and also it was fun to just walk, laugh and chat. That was one of my favorite "friendship" moment.

I THANK YOU FOR BEING MY BEST FRIEND FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS, I LOVE YOU!

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Barbara

When you started working at the center, we met shortly after and instantly we clicked as friends. You encouraged me to continue to believe in God when I thought all spiritual faith had diminished. YI couldn't understand why my family had suffere so and you told me that God is testing us to see how much we can handle. You told me that he wouldn't give you more than you can handle.

You gave me ifnformational books, CDs, DVDs, printouts of prayers and Catholicism in general to help me back on track to gain back my spirituality.

Though I was baptized as Catholic, I was often too ashamed and embarassed to speak to anyone and let them know that I was not a practicing Catholic. I did speak to the priest about my issues and the fact that I was not a regular patron of the church. Boy, did I get a verbal lashing from that priest. Rather than motivaing me and encouraging me to paricipate. I think he scared the wits out of me while I was in confession and I never went back to church for many years due to shame and embarassment.

Barbara, I needed someone to get me back on track and to offer me spiritual guidance when I needed it the most. I needed to be under God's wings and to ask to give me the mental and physical strength that I needed so desperately. I knew I couldn't do it all myself. I needed God to be on my side.

Your strong spirituality has helped many many cancer patients get through their treatment whether it be chemo, radiation or surgery. You were there to hug them, reassure them, cry with them and be a listening ear to them. Sometimes they just don't want to be a medical record # but a human being to the doctor. You never treated them in an assembly line practice but in a humane manner. It wasn't even about the money, it was about giving them the quality of care that they deserve despite their lack of financial resources.

That is why I truly admire you for giving back the cancer patients their dignity and respect to love themselves. They are not to feel guilty about their illness and no apologies are necessary but you always fostered inner strength and encouragement to continue to fight the neverending battle to live.

When I became very sick, you immediately sought help for me. If it wasn't for your quick actions, I don't know if I would be here today. THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE AND I LOVE YOU!

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Kirsten

remember the days, I used to sneak in your office. We would just talk and talk and you would help me put everything back in perspective no matter how hard and difficult things were at the time. You are funny, witty and with a great sense of humor. You always made me laugh even through the toughest times. I would laugh one minute and cry the next. It was crazy...But you never judged me nor thought I was crazy but just sat there and lent me your ears and shoulders to cry on. You were always so upbeat and so happy go lucky that I admired those traits and characteristics.

You are an excellent doctor and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. You are dedicated, loyal and super compassionate to your patients who love you to bits. It is your true calling to go into medicine and it is your niche to be in Psychiatry.

I was heartbroken, as so many of your other patients. when you moved down to South Carolina. It took me a long time to accept that you were no longer in New York City. But I know i have a place to stay when I am down there visiting. I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE SO COOL!

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Frances aka Franny

I remember when we worked together you were quiet until you had your morning cup of coffee. Then you perked up like the sunflowers that you love so much. I thought that it was a cute quirk you have. I always say to myself, "leave Frances alone until she finishes her morning cup of Joe before approaching her for anything.

You have an innte and special talent with the patients and I believe this is what God has meant for you to do in your life. This is your calling as also your involvement in your church.

Thank you for helping me when I needed it the most. You offered to help me when I didn't have the courage to ask anyone. To me that was a remarkable moment because you held out your hand and offered me your friendship and support. It was almost as if you were reading my mind or maybe my facial expressions said it all.

Keep up the good work at the center and I LOVE YOU!

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Jimmy

Thank you for given me an opportunity to allow me to represent your awesome book, "ROCKET & THE CONSTRUCTION WORKER", which is a semi-autobiograhical of your life. I am honored and privileged to have been asked. I will certainly make a vow to do the best I can to promote your book.

I love and simply adore the main character, "Rocket the Chihuahua!

What a great personality Rocket has and what courage she had to have lived with that awful family. They tried to kill her by leaving her out in the woods, tied to a tree for the animals in the woods to devour her alive, leave her there to freeze to death or die by natural causes. That is one of the most horrible thing, I have ever heard of. How despicable it is to put a defenseless pet especially a tiny Chihuahua to die and they had no remorse. The past owner could have just brought Rocket to the Animal Shelter rather than cruelly leave her there.

I am glad that Jimmy adoped her, he is a great owner and provider and gave her the love that she longs for and has never gotten from her previous owner.

Jimmy, you are like a "honorary" brother to me. I admire you for your writing and creativity. You are going to make it "BIG" as an author and I can see your book(s) being on a TV movie or in films. Your story techniques are amazing. I remember when you first gave me a copy of the book, I couldn't put it down until I finished reading the book.

"Rocket and the Construction Worker" was captivating and I had to find out what Rocket was thinking about, her emotions and her fears since the book was written through her perceptive eyes.

I had you since you were so tiny that you were able to fit in a shoe box. You chewed up my rocking chair, pairs of shoes and scratched up a few of my leather cushions but despite your tremendous chewing appetite, I still love you.

You were a puppy then. Now you are a full fledged lady at the ripe age of 11 going on 12 soon. koko, you have given me so much joy, happiness and unconditional love. You are always there for me whether I was sad, happy or tired.

You always reminded me that it was time for your walks, time to eat or time to play. You had an internal clock for the schedule which I find amazing since I sometimes work on the computer for 12 hours and wouldn't even know what time it was. I am glad that you kept at me to take you out so that we both get exercise and air to unclutter our minds and set it free from stress.

You are my best buddy, pal, friend that I love you so much that you are almost humanlike based on your actions. I think you were reincarnated and you were a person in your past life.

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART!

I used to be so scared of large dogs but I realize that I was generalizing and stereotyping certain breeds. It wasn't fair to any dog to have preconceived notions about them.

You were so loving, obedient, calm and just a joy to have around. When I visited, you was always excited to see me. You were gentle and not the least bit aggressive or mean. You are very obedient and love your owners very much.

I miss and love you and I hope you will be with Jetta and Rocket in dog heaven. I hope you will all be friends and play together.

Though, I have never met you but read about you through your book, "Rocket & the Construction Worker". When Jimmy wrote the book, he wrote so that you will be telling the readers your perspective on your life. It was through your eyes that we were able to see what was going on...

It was a tragic incident, when your previous owners try to tie you to tree in the dead of the night and have you eaten alive by the animals that live in the woods. Thank God someone had found you and delivered you to the Humane Society in Connecticut. Thats when Jimmy was looking to adopt a pet and there you were. It was love at first sight and the rest was history.

He was able to give you lots of attention and affection to alleviate your fear of being abused again which will never happen under Jimmy's watch.

Thanks Jimmy, for being an animal lover!