Destiny V. Morales

Destiny made her grand entrance into the world on May 10, 2006, and from the very beginning, she was a force of nature. She was daring, adventurous, loud, and unapologetically herself. It's hard to explain such a vibrant soul in words, but if we had to choose six, they’d be: goofy, outgoing, crazy, loud, adventurous, and daring. She lived every moment with a spark that was uniquely her own.

One of her proudest achievements was winning a pie-eating contest. It's a story she loved telling, and one we all loved hearing, mostly because it was so Destiny. She was the type of person who could find joy in the simplest things, whether it was a pie-eating trophy, a family trip to Disney or winning student council president. She had a special place in her heart for all things magical and whimsical, which perfectly matched her personality.

Destiny had an incredible talent for makeup, transforming her face into a canvas of creativity. She loved capturing those moments, snapping photos that would later fill our phones and albums with memories. She was a joyful artist in her own right, always encouraging us to see the world from her unique perspective.

The eighteen years we had with her were truly special. She made each of her nephews and nieces feel like they were the center of the universe, always reminding them—and us— “to live everyday as if it's your last” and to live by her own motto: “You only have one life, live it.”

Her love for her family was immense, especially the love she shared with the love of her life, Cesar. She loved her family and cherished every moment spent together, whether it was on trips, at family gatherings, or just hanging out at home. Her favorite memories were those spent with family, laughing, crying and singing—creating moments that will last a lifetime.

Destiny had this incredible ability to make everyone feel special. Her laughter could fill a room, and her ability to forgive was unmatched. She had a huge forgiving heart, always there to stop us from fighting, reminding us what truly mattered. Even now she has brought so much peace to our hearts. She was our peacemaker, always striving to bring harmony. Her confidence and ego were as big as her heart, and she always encouraged us to live as she would say "peace and love, peace and love."

Destiny was a beautiful mix of everything wonderful and wild. We will miss her mess everywhere, her loud voice echoing through the house, and those random calls just to say she loved us. Her blunt, bold, deeply honest and straight-forward manner, humor, and inner child were some of the many things that made her unique.

Destiny had a way of turning the uneventful into an adventure. She was always finding games to play, always bringing home random gifts. Her love for holidays was infectious, and her ability to be happy was truly a gift.

She was truly a bright light in our lives, and though she is no longer with us, her fierce spirit will continue to shine through all of us who loved her. Romans 8:18 tells us, "The pain you have been feeling can’t compare to the joy that is coming." In our grief, I find comfort in knowing that Destiny’s joy continues on, and she is now in a place filled with even more love and happiness.