For Katie

The time we shared will always

Be a treasure meant to keep,

A field of brilliant flowers

Growing wild for us to reap.

We will listen for your lilting song

When the wind blows in the night,

With love we will remember you...

Go softly toward the light.

-Linda Xavier

This is for Katie Renville.

There are so many who will miss you; so many who knew you at your best and worst, on your silly days and your sad. It seemed unreal to hear, and we were stunned. Please, Katie, say it's not so. It was too soon to lose you; we weren't prepared. It was like a piece of us had been ripped out.

But we will not dwell on the pain, the grief, the loss - instead, we will continue forward as we know you want us to. We will attend the classes of which you were a part, and walk the halls we once walked together. We will talk, laugh and smile - all the while remembering how you used to do the same.

Goodbye, my dear Katie. How we will miss you.