My name is
Michael Mayoras. My wife, Janet, passed away as a result of the injuries
she suffered in a head on collision with a drunk driver on August 26, 2002.
I knew Janet for 23 years, and was married to her for over 17 of those years.
We were blessed with a daughter, Christine, who turned 16 on March 9th, 2004,
and a son, Jonathan, who turned 8 on March 29th, 2004. It is very difficult for
me to write these words because of the nature of our loss.
I am
writing this letter on Janet’s computer, which holds so many memories of her
life. She was a very strong willed individual who always made sure that
Christine and Jonathan were the top priorities in our lives. Janet made
numerous sacrifices in her personal life for the good of our family. She
was involved in our children’s school activities, knowing all of the teaching
staff, helping out with computer related items in the classrooms, reading to
students who needed additional help. She took time off to chaperone fieldtrips
and organize classroom parties. Janet also volunteered to coach the volleyball
program for a couple of years because no one else was available, and that would
have left many kids without an after school program. Janet was also in her first
year as a board member of the school district’s interscholastic sports program.
Janet and I shared the
same beliefs in raising our kids. We felt that we should be involved in as many
activities with them as possible, because of the strong bond it created for us as
a family. We all know how fast time passes us by. Janet and I spent a great deal
of time every evening talking about the events of the day, things we have to do
for tomorrow, and our dreams for the future, including college for the kids,
retirement, and being able to do the things that we had put off until the kids
were older or out of school.
Her
senseless death has been nothing short of a tragedy to our family. It has wiped
the smiles off of two of the greatest kids that anyone could ask for. Jonathan
and Christine are in constant fear that they will be left alone. I have to
reassure them daily that I am not going anywhere, and that they are perfectly
safe. We have sought counseling, but that still does not dull the pain of
knowing that we will never again enjoy the warmth, hugs, and kisses that were
the very foundation of our family. Somehow, I hope that one day I may feel
like life is worth living, instead of feeling like I am just existing.
Our loss
is so much greater than one could imagine. Janet’s passing will impact our family
for many generations.
Michael Mayoros
