The day I heard you had passed, I didn't believe it had happened. I thought it might have been some kind of joke. My mind could not process the thought of you just suddenly dying. It wasn't possible.

Then I saw Facebook.

People were sharing the announcement, everyone we went to high school with, people who only knew of you to people who were your best friends.

I had just seen you active on social media, there was no way you were just gone forever. I would never get to hear about all the success you were having in college. You had just informed everyone that you had just gotten published. At 20 years old! I had not one doubt in my mind that you would not be successful.

You were so kind to every one. Always there to lend a helping hand, and would go out of your way to make people included. And while we were not very close, I was always able to approach you with a question because you had such a way of making people feel like they were already your friend.

Your spirt was so comforting and it breaks my heart anyone else will get to experience it.

You were the light in most people's lives, but I know they will continue to keep your memory alive.

It will feel so weird to attend your funeral, because you were not supposed to leave the world this way. But I have trust in the fact that you are in a better place now.

It hurts that I will no longer get to hear updates about your Jeep Cherokee that you loved so much, and that when we had the same car we were "Jeep Buddies".

Those memories won't ever die. The person who you were will continue to live on, and you will be missed.

Rest easy.