Posted on March 2, 2015 by Corey Fader
For the first 16 years of my life, Myra was like a second mother to me. While my parents were busy working, Myra was there to take care of all of the housekeeping, cooking, and my sister and me. As early as I can remember, she would push me around in a stroller to museums such as the Please Touch, Franklin Institute, and the Museum of Natural History. She was always there to bathe, feed, and support me in any possible way.
As I grew older, everything around me started to change. I went through a notorious time in my life when I had to figure out exactly what I wanted to be. I was on the brink of expulsion at school, and I was associating myself with a bad group of friends. Even though these were a few rough years for me, I always knew that I could come home and have Myra brighten my day. She taught me right from wrong, and significantly helped me navigate my way through tough situations.
Entering high school, I was aware that my time with Myra was beginning to come to a close. My sister was getting ready to go off to college, and I was much more self-reliant than when I was younger. As each day of freshman year went by, I realized that we were that much closer to the end.
I can still vividly remember the day that I learned that Myra would no longer be with us. My parents let me know that Myra had received a full-time teaching position at Trinity Academy. I immediately went to my room to cry, and I was confident that Myra was doing the same on the other end.
I suppose people are correct when they say that you never fully appreciate something until it is gone. There is not a day that goes by that Myra does not cross my mind, and I can honestly say that I would not be where I am without her.
Photography and Text by Corey Fader
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About the Author: Corey Fader is a freshman enrolled in the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2018