DEAR LEAH

Dearest Leah,

I can not believe it has been a year since your untimely and senseless passing. The days have flown by, but it seems the grief is lingering.

I have mourned you...felt all the emotions and the anger and the selfish hurting. It hurts to know I will not see you again for many years...when we all gather again in heaven. But I still see you...your smile, your twinkling eyes, your beauty and your grace. I still hear your laughter and your funny stories and your caring words. I can still see you dance. They may only be images and sounds emblazoned in my memories...but they are forever.

As we mark the one year point, I want to start celebrating you and your life. The way you touched my life and the life of everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.

I celebrate the beauty of you. Inside even more beautiful then the outside. The humor you so willingly shared. The kindness you selflessly doled out. The love you gave unconditionally. The elegance of the dances you performed. The nicknames you called me. The times you tried to connive me into letting you drive. The filthy words you let flow in the privacy of my car...always out of range of your parents. The vulnerability of you. Your love of animals. Everything about you was a joy. My life is fuller because of you. I am grateful for you.

I may never stop grieving you, but I will also never stop celebrating you. I know in my heart that is what you would want. Your generosity would want that. And I honor you.

Leah Marie...my dear cousin...I will miss you and love you forever.

Until next time...