But during the past year, the twins have become increasingly aware of these emotional links. After their mother was diagnosed with leukemia, the two became involved in a downward spiral of illness that drew them together just as it eventually separated them from the woman who gave them each other.

"We went through hell last year because you just don't realize what it's like to watch this person you love dying," Uche says.

Nevertheless, the two were surprisingly up-beat while describing their mother's illness, attributing their ability to deal with her death this July partly to shock and their strongly supportive relationship with their father and one another. These days, even Oni and Uche's grief is shared.

"I feel like mom gave me Oni as a gift," Uche says, smiling, "Someone to look after me."

"Any person you meet whoc's had a loved-one die, it's like this immediate bond--a new perspective," Oni adds.

Tests and paper deadlines shrank in importance last spring as the twins repeatedly returned home to spend time with their ailing mother before her death. In August, the two took a trip with their father to his hometown of Clarendon, Jamaica after which they returned to the States to start school last month.

"I know so many people who wouldn't come back or who leave because of other reasons," notes Uche, "But we know she would want us here."

Both twins stressed their mother's remarkable work ethic, a drive that led her to take music classes and act as a literacy volunteer even while undergoing intense chemotherapy.

"I hope people learn like I did that there's more important things than work," says Oni of her mother's struggle to help others even in her time of trial. "You have to enjoy each day, step back, especially now when the [midterm] work is getting busy."

However, Uche--a biology concentrator--accented the workaholic tendencies of both herself and her sister, a CS major.

"I agree with you Oni, but I think I also tend to throw myself into the work, especially now, just to make it through."

"Yeah," Oni agrees, "I guess it's some of both."