Enough time has passed since you left us that I should, in theory, be able to “move on” and find my “closure.” But, I don’t know if that will ever be the case with me. Closure takes time and everyone has their own pace - even if it means years and years or even not at all.

Because of who you were and how you lived your life, you made everyone you touched want to be a better person. Because of your attitude toward interaction with people, you encouraged the people around you to be just a little nicer and a little more empathetic. Because of the way you acted, everyone around you was at ease. That’s what is missed most - just who you were and how you portrayed yourself; unequivocally you and without hesitation to be who you really were.

You were taken at such a young age and by the most incredibly horrible circumstances. You had your whole life ahead of you… So many opportunities and experiences yet to discover. But, even though you had so many years ahead of you, you were years beyond your age and you didn’t miss out on a thing. You had already accomplished so much and impacted so many people for the better, that there was not one thing you regretted; you could pass in peace knowing that you had already changed the world more than you knew.

No one deserves to pass away as young as you did… In fact, no one deserves it at all. However, you were the last person that should have experienced what you did - and everyone feels the same way. You left behind happiness, a light to shine until the end of time.

Even though time goes on and the feeling of grief slowly lessons, it will never be diminished. You will always live on in our lives and in our spirits, reminding us what it’s like to love everyone equally and how a smile can make a person’s day.

You are loved, you are missed, and please know that even though you are no longer with us, your spirit is living on.