Amaiya was a light in my life, she lit up my world and the world of everyone blessed to meet her. She was inquisitive, always wanting to ask questions about the world around her. Her world view was imaginative, filled with much love and innocence. She pulled questions out of her magical mind such as what did animals eat, did they have friends, where did they sleep or did they play tag? She wondered about Space, specifically the Sun and Moon and why they 'followed us', could I bring them to her, are the stars their friends? She inquired whether things would float or sink, asking me to bet her on the opposite outcome.

She was joyful, meeting every day with a smile. Snow, sleet, rain or hail, the sun shined on her face. She laughed in the face of every challenging obstacle and persevered. I say this because I was fortunate enough to have a daughter that allowed me to see what strength really was. I used to think being strong was lifting heavy at the gym, showing off muscles, those types of things.

What is strength? Is it being hard, tough or durable? Is it putting on a brave face? I personally don't believe it is any of those things. I believe strength is what Amaiya showed every day. There was no one more resilient and tenacious than Amaiya. Her strength was quality, something that is rare among all of us as her strength surpassed physical limitations. Amaiya was born on Nov 16, 2021, with a spinal defect known as Spina Bifida, specifically, a severe case known as a Lipomeningocele, where a person is likely to experience leg paralysis and bladder/bowel dysfunction. Amaiya also battled against many febrile seizures. But she never let it get her down; she fought and she fought hard.

There was a difficult two weeks when Amaiya, due to some complications, was told that she may not be able to walk, and she couldn't, she couldn't feel her legs or even walk. But after surgery, Amaiya showed true strength—not only was she able to walk, but she ran, jumped, skipped, punched, kicked, and even started doing somersaults in the last few months. It's been two years since then, and Amaiya faced every day determined and strong-willed, doing everything any other kid could do. Even if it was a challenge for her, she pushed herself and kept going. Her resilience inspired everyone around her.

Now, as I face the heartbreaking task of saying goodbye, I want to honor Amaiya's memory and give her the farewell she deserves. The funds raised will help cover cremation, funeral home charges, transportation, and embalming of her body. Any support is deeply appreciated as we celebrate the life of a truly remarkable child.