The first time I met you, I thought, Well, here’s a special one.
You were clearly very smart and mature beyond your years, and I was duly impressed.
My affection for you was immediate. I recognized your gifts and looked forward to watching you grow and find yourself. I hoped, in some small way, that I could at the very least encourage you to achieve your potential. You were only 25 or 26; I was already over 60 and not easily impressed.
You were just interesting and smart – always fully present whenever I interacted with you. That alone is an exceptional gift that made you so attractive.
Today was your funeral at the age of 29, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I wept for you. It’s almost impossible to process what happened, or rather, I have to accept the fact that I’ll never know.
I miss you already and will always keep you alive in my heart. I’ll honor the memory of the young woman who showed so much promise, who delighted and never ceased to impress me.
Rest In Peace, my young friend. You are gone, but will never be forgotten.