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From me: While growing up, people used to ask me what it was like to be a twin. "Is it neat? Are you close to your sister? Are you identical??" And to those people, I never really showed any enthusiasm. I'd respond, "Yeah, it's neat." Unfortunately, I never felt us to be the inseparable twins or the 'dynamic duo'. However, those who knew us would always refer to us as "the twins." Sometimes, this would annoy me, but I didn't let it bother me too much. I guess it was hard for us to get along at times because we were so different. As I would read Jane Eyre for the third time in a row, Rhiannon would sit there and watch a medical show segment on open-heart surgery. She was also fascinated by the reality of everything and what makes things work. And of course, I was just the opposite by preferring imaginary worlds and made up stories. It was hard for us in school because of our disabilities. The kids would tease us unmercifully at times. I would run into the bathroom and cry my eyes out; however, Rhiannon would often stand up to them and give them a piece of her mind. She would just ignore them and go about her daily routine. I read somewhere that if someone teases and makes fun of you, it's because they want to be just like you. They are envious of what you have. I'm sure they could have been envious of Rhiannon. She was smart, funny, and dedicated. I know she wanted more in life. She had so much potential to do anything she wanted, and would have if she had been given the chance. "I just want to help people like me," she would often say. And I guess I never really understood her goal at the time. She often associated with other people who had disabilities. And this was because she knew they would never make fun of her. Even though she put up a strong front to those who tormented her in school, I think deep down it did bother her though she never really talked about it. She was a very private person, and I've really begun to understand that in these past few weeks. There was an awful lot that she didn't share with us while she was here, and I wish I could understand why. Did she think we would laugh at her or put her down? I just don't know. When we were children, we used to talk more about our feelings with each other. However, I don't remember much of it. I don't think our conversations then were very complex. On the surface, I knew Rhiannon. I can sit here and recite her favorite music, movies, or television shows; but, I can't really describe to you what she thought about. As I've stated before, she was a very private person. Yet, this is what I do know for certain: Rhiannon loved people and she loved life. She was determined in anything that she did. She had a goal to become a clinical psychologist, and would often teasingly say, "I'm going to make more money than you." She also valued education, and I know it broke her heart to have to leave college. She was often bored, and wanted to learn more; therefore, she would often get on the internet to look for more answers. "We have a special bond," she'd used to say. She was speaking of that infamous twin bond, but I never felt it. Not really. The only time it might have really kicked in was during my cataract surgery. As the nurse was attempting to stick an I. V. in my arm, I kept seeing Rhiannon lying in a hospital bed in agony. Though I was only remembering, the scene was enough to cause me much distress. I kept on crying over and over again. "Rhiannon?Rhiannon?she's hurting." It was almost as if I understood what she was going through all the time. I've never experienced so much pain and suffering in my entire life. Now that she's gone, I feel like a part of me died with her. I also feel much anger towards the doctors who were responsible for her death. Even though I can't forgive them, I know that she does. She is at peace now, and no longer in pain. So, what is it like being a twin? That question will never be the same again. In fact, I may never be asked that question again. I don't know. All I do know is what it was like as I take this time to reflect: it was wonderful to get a chance to know Rhiannon. Like so many, I wanted to be like her. I always admired her strength especially when it seemed like I didn't have any. She could always make you laugh, and had this very unique way of laughing. She'd look right at you while laughing to try and get you to laugh too. I know the twin bond will always be there because she can't really be gone. She's watching over all of us-especially me. She's up there as our guardian angel, and keeping us safe from harm.