Just look at her. Is she not gorgeous?!
Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning “little lamb” and symbolizes innocence and purity. Anyone who knows my Rachel would agree it suits her.
She is my best friend. Last summer she passed away and it left many hearts aching.
Our birthdays are two days apart. It was always fun celebrating together. Tonight, on Rachel’s 26th birthday, Dackota and I celebrated her memory by making stuffed peppers. It was the meal she made for us the first night we stayed with her in St. George last summer (it will always be one of the best weekends I’ve ever had).
She was the most consistent friend I’ve ever had – she
always returned my phone calls and texts. I never had to wonder if she would be
there for me.
She was there through my dating and break ups, and I was
there for her too, reminding her that "boys are stupid."
She was so in tune – with the Spirit, with herself, and with
those around her. As I am learning about my own sensitivity I find myself
learning more about hers, too. I believe she loved me exactly the way I am. And
I loved her, exactly the way she was.
Years ago my family and I lost a dear friend of ours. She
died unexpectedly at the age of 18. As a 12-year old girl, it was the most traumatic thing
I’d ever experienced. It took time to understand and feel that God has a plan
and we will see her again someday. I remember my mom telling me something along
the lines of: Some people don’t need a
whole lifetime to pass this earthly test. How true that is. Rachel has passed
her test on this earth.
Sometimes the good memories of those we’ve loved and lost
can get swallowed up by the enormous pain we feel when they leave us. With help, I’ve
learned that it is important to remember the good times, so that their memory
isn’t always associate with the sadness. Today as we celebrated Rachel’s memory
I’m remembering the good times:
- She had the cutest giggle.
- In college we used to switch cereals boxes when we got sick of the ones we had.
- She helped me with my Halloween costumes – always with a sense of style, that girl.
- I hated clothes shopping unless it was with her.
- She was creative in style, art, music, and cooking.
- We loved to curl up on the couch and watch cheesy romantic movies.
- She always had a way of making me feel so special to her.
- The weekend she met Dackota she told me, “You two are so perfect for each other it’s sickening.”
I was having a hard day this day. Rachel and her parents encouraged and validated me and helped me feel so much better.
I will never stop missing her or needing her or loving her. How blessed I am to have so much love for and to be loved so
well by such a beautiful girl.
I love you, Rachel.
