RUSSELL J

Russell was a man of his word, he would never let you down in any way. He inspired my life with many of his words. He wasn't only my step father he was a friend: a friend that I could talk to about anything, a friend that I could trust no matter what and a friend that I was able to run to if I ever had a problem. He was the strongest man I had ever known. He went through so much in his 36 years of living. I could never imagine going through what he went through. He had his first heart attack at the age of 32 after that heart attack he was left with 3/4 of a heart and on 6 to 7 medications a day. In February of 2003 he had found out that he had a blood clott and that he had no longer than 6 months to live. The day he came home from the doctors my mom and him sat on the couch crying for hours, which seemed like days. My mom and him decided to get married June 10th, 2003, the week after they were married we all moved into his house which was only across the street. That last month went by so slow, everyday got worse for him, we never knew what to expect. On June 22, 2003 he had suffered a massive heart attack, he passed away at 5 AM. I never knew that someone who was so quite and so peaceful could make such an impact in my life. I promised Rusty two things: one, that I would never smoke nor drink and two, that I would graduate from high school. Those two promises are the only two promises I have ever been able to keep. Though I did face many obstacles my senior year of high school, I always kept his voice and his strength in my heart and I never gave up or gave in. I thank Rusty for everything that he has ever taught me it may not have seemed like very much then but now its my whole life, and because of him I am stronger than I could ever be. I love you Rusty, and thank you for being my hero, inspiration, and everything.

Submitted by Anonymous

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