TOYA

Latoya Drayton, 19, died this morning. She was a vital member of the Lupus Support
Group I've been privieged to be associated with, as beautiful and funny and generous
a person you'd ever want to meet. After her first near fatal bout with her disease
at age 15, Latoya determined that she needed not waste any of the time available to her.

I'm struggling for words to describe how Latoya taught her friends, family and
all who worked with her to seize life and savor every moment of it.
When she was gravely ill several times over the last year, sedated, even,
we sensed her efforts to return to consciousness, then function. When
she did, she said , "I'm back, and I'm going to college," or something to
that effect. And she went and fought to stay until she had to be hospitalized
again, to wage yet another battle against a horrible disease for precious time.
She exuded love for her family and friends. Despite pain and disappointment,
she was optimistic and FUNNY. No one could meet her and not love her.

I've not yet painted the full picture, but will try again.