When you get married to someone, you gain certain things. Most guys tend to talk about the things we lose in marriage… like our freedom to go out, drink, and crash at a friend’s house with no repercussions. But there are times that we should sit back and be thankful for the good that comes with being added onto somebody’s family.

I have been pretty fortunate with Kinsey. I get along very well with both of her parents. I would go as far as to say that they view me as a son of their own. Kinsey’s grandma (from her dad’s side) loves me too, but it’s mostly because I am Mexican and can speak Spanish (She is obsessed with Mexican culture, like Kinsey). I can accept that, I will take it anyway I can get it. The part of the family I have only met a handful of times is on my mother-in-law’s side. We lived in San Diego, and they live in Houston. The first time I met them was when I got the job with Kidd. Although each side is different, the one thing they have in common is how close knit they are. I came from a large Hispanic family that was broken apart when we moved to the US because of many things we could not control. I ended up with my Mom, my dad, my sister, my grandma, and my uncle, who both lived in Mexico. They were all I had growing up. Then I lost my uncle, and then my grandma. So I have what is considered a small family. Our Christmas dinners, New Years, birthdays, and so on… consisted of the three of us, with the occasional invites from my parent’s friends. Kinsey’s family is BIG, and everything is a huge event… on both sides. I like that feeling. It’s part of the reason I was drawn closer to Kinsey. From the first day I met them, I felt like I was welcomed.

I got off subject. Bottom line, I feel very fortunate to be part of her family. I would say that one of the people I respect the most is Kinsey’s… wait, I can say it… is my aunt, Bonnie. Bonnie is an assistant principal. Bonnie went to Kent state… where she annihilated the basketball record books. She is the all-time leading scorer in school history (men’s and women’s). She was the first woman to have her number retired at the school, and she fit a lil time aside to earn three varsity letters in tennis. If you know me, you know that I hold athletes in high regard. Athletes like Bonnie, who are great people, who inspire, who give back to the youth, and who stand up for what they believe in are heroes in my book. In fact, I will admit that when I see Bonnie, I try to make a goof out of myself. I really look up to her and all her accomplishments. So why am I talking about Bonnie on a random Tuesday night? Because Bonnie is battling cancer… again. When Kinsey told me that her cancer came back, it did not look good. Her tumor marker started at 6500… her normal tumor marker is 7. Scary looking, huh? I have no idea what a tumor marker is, but I know that the numbers 6500 and 7 are very far apart. Bonnie did not ask for pity, she did not hang her head, she did not give up. You know what she did? She basically said, “don’t worry, I am going to put up a fight.” Ever since then, she has been a machine of constant positivity.

She has fought, she has not complained, she has kept active, and when I checked my Facebook today, I found a video that she had made for the family… and she included me in this group of people that were given the honor of watching her video. It was a video of her journey. She woke up at 4 Am, wearing a jump suit and a smile… and boxing gloves. She made her journey to the hospital, as she kept saying, “I can’t be late for the fight… I am ready!” She wore her gloves during her chemo treatment and kept that amazing attitude the entire time. The last shot of the video is of her boxing gloves with “Cancer Sucks” written on one, and “I’ll be back” on the other one.

Most importantly, when she should be thinking about herself, she thought of us. She made that video for her family and friends, because she wanted to make us feel good. So while I sat complaining about my stupid house situation, she was getting chemo treatment. These are the things I need. It put me in check, it made me smile, it made me tear up, and it gave me a feeling of strength. 2012 has been an unlucky year for me, so far… but I need to be like Bonnie and kick these last four month’s butt! I am so proud to be a part of this, and I am so proud that my son has the genes of the all time leading scorer at Kent state, and of the woman who doesn’t give up on anything. Bonnie Beachy is what this world needs more of. Have a great day, and think of Bonnie if you are feeling down 🙂