Less than two months before Vicky died, she took her first ride on the back of a Harley-Davidson. She said she had always been afraid of motorcycles....at least until she was diagnosed with Stage III-B pancreatic cancer. After that, she said, "you're pretty much afraid of nothing!" So she went for a ride....for almost two hours....and LOVED it! We talked about the feel of the sun and wind on your face...all of the smells and sensations you just don't experience trapped up in a car. And we talked about the peacefulness of being out on the open road. It was a wonderful day I will never forget.
Vicky obtain a Master's Degree in Psychology from MU while working full time and raising three wonderful children. And at the time of her death she was obtaining a Ph.D. in Psychology and learning Italian. She truly loved life and serves as a role model to all of us to live our lives to the fullest, being the best that we can be at everything we do. She just happened to be particularly good at loving...and giving. I'll miss you forever Sis...at least until we can be together again.
Pat, Vicky's first husband, recently told me a story that wonderfully recalled Vicky's amazing spirit. He indicated that when he first met her, Vicky was somewhat sheepish. She then went away for several years, living on her own in Philly and Key West, and then returned to WV and entered Marshall. And, in the process, she apparently grew up a bit. Pat said that one day after Vicky returned, the two of them were walking across the MU campus, talking about how Vicky could stand to "come out of her shell" a bit more. In fact, he stated that she should get over silly fears and not worry about what the rest of the world thought. He told her she should, in fact, be able to just let out a scream if she felt like letting out a scream. And as a demonstration he even let out a big scream himself right in the middle of campus. Vicky said she could never do anything like that. A day or two later, Vicky hid outside of one of Pat's classrooms and waited for him to get out of class. As soon as he walked out, Vicky popped out of the crowd and let out a huge scream...apparently not so sheepish after all!
Vicky's love of helping children cope with sometimes difficult issues served as the inspiration for a children's book entitled, "A Soldier's Star," which is currently being edited and should be available for purchase through Amazon.com later this year. The book, which is dedicated to both Vicky and Capt. Christopher Petty, is somewhat of a fairytale about a little boy trying to cope with the loss of his father in Iraq. It was written by Mark Troy and Deb Petty and is being published by Trafford Publishing.
When Vicky moved back to Huntington from Key West, she brought with her a special friend...a dog named Jemima. Jemima could be one of the sweetest dogs in the world...and could also be one of the meanest. She loved having her head rubbed really hard and also made a sound that sounded like "h-e-l-l-o" when she would yawn. Jemima was, I believe, part doberman and part beagle. Anyway...she generally hated men...especially those she didn't know. One day a handicapped friend of Vicky's came to visit while Vicky was living on Pinecrest. As the man stepped out of his car, Jemima rushed over and bit right into....his leg braces! The man laughed and laughed and Jemima apparently had a very shocked look on her face and then walked away with a couple of huffs and half-hearted barks. I am not sure if Jemima learned any lessons that day but Vicky always loved to tell that story. I hope Vick and Jemima are now reunited (and that Jemima is staying out of trouble).
