Something I am thankful for.

I hope you all had a very good Thanksgiving this year. Today was an enjoyable time with family for me, but also a day of deep reflectiveness and contemplation. I was still saddened with the recent passing of an elementary school friend, Rachael Verdicchio-Morris. In spite of the fact that a great light went out far too soon, I still feel I have much to be thankful for.

One of Racheal's many beautiful illustrations. Check out her catalog at http://rachealanilyse.com/

Racheal is a hero to me, and I do not use that term lightly. There aren't very many human beings who can brighten your mood simply by the look of her smile, the glean her eye, or the tone of her voice. Racheal did this things so easily that it is a privilege to have known her and gone to school with her.

On simple human terms, she was an exemplary human being. Her accomplishments in life made her exceptional. Her list of accomplishments as an artist are impressive; the works themselves, phenomenal. What is most amazing is that she was able to achieve so much while living with epidermolysis bullosa, a very rare connective tissue disease that leaves the individual with very fragile skin. A simple hug can do a world of damage.

That didn't stop Rachael from living her life. I remember standing around on Prospect Street in Wethersfield, watching a parade, when I heard a familiar voice say, "Hi, Kevin!"

I turned around just in time to Rachael zip by me on her roller skates. At the time, I myself had only tried to roller skate a few times in my life--with very, very poor results. But there she was, unafraid and doing fine. That's inspiration. That's courage. That's heroism.

Some years back, Racheal testified on behalf of other individuals suffering from EB to the Connecticut General Assembly. As recently as 2009, insurance companies in the state of Connecticut were not required to cover wound care for individuals with the disease. To those who doubt the capacity of the democratic process in these troubled times, the bill passed and was signed into law.

Thank you Racheal. You will continue to be an inspiration to us all, now and forever.

Amen.