Life's not fair; it's just life. (Cassie Cox)

Life has an uncanny way of falling apart and coming back together again - repeatedly.

Those of you who know me know that mine hasn't been the easiest row to hoe these past few months. Those of you who know me well know that Cassie's has been infinitely more difficult.

Cassie was my student last year, but she was also my teacher in some of life's more important lessons. Two of those lessons were courage in the face of misfortune and such strong passion for the good things of this world (nature, literature, people) that any misfortune seemed to pale in comparison. I will always be grateful to Cassie for sharing, however unknowingly, her strength of character. In my mind, it is that strength which defines her. Her tumor, by contrast, is merely an obstacle to be overcome.

Cassie's Adventures will henceforth be chronicled in a blog started by her mother just three days after I started mine. I'm still unsure as to where mine is headed, but I'm honored to enter the world of blogging alongside Cassie and her mother, Sandy, whose courage and passion continue to amaze and inspire me.