I have two memories of Mia that I would like to share. The first one happened when Mia's son, Adam, and I were college roommates in Knoxville. It was our freshman year of college (2003) and it was our first time really living away from home. It was my birthday, and I was missing my loved ones back home. The dorm room telephone rang and it was Mia and some of her friends/family and they sang "Happy Birthday" to me. It was such a heartwarming and comforting moment. 

 My second memory is from about the same time, it was the summer before our freshman year in college, school was about to start, and I was visiting the Gibbs family home on Signal Mountain and meeting Adam's family for the first time. That evening, Mia cooked a Caribbean jerk chicken dinner. I tell still Adam that, to this day, that was one of the best home-cooked meals I've ever had. 

In the years that I have known Mia, I saw how much Mia loved her family and how much they loved her. I know that she will be truly missed and memories of her will be cherished by her loved ones. 

I am grateful for having known Mia. She was equally tough and sweet. I always felt better after a visit with her.  I am very proud to have been her friend and am really going to miss our chats. 

My heart goes out to Jerry and family as you navigate through this painful loss.