Last weekend, I was told my little sister's dear friend Stay-C had passed. I knew this wasn't going to be easy for Erin, and thus it wouldn't be easy for me. Friday night after work, I drove down to Chicago and stayed with Erin and Catherine. Yesterday morning was the Chicago Memorial. I couldn't believe how many people came. Stay-C had lived and worked in Chicago's theatre district for several years. She obviously touched many lives. People of every age, shape, color, and creed came out to express how this "bottle-rocket of a woman" touched their lives. I knew she was a unique girl but I had no idea how far that extended. The theatre was packed, people sat in the aisles and took turns telling stories. Her mother and father sat on the stage and took all of this in like only they could. I give Mr. & Mrs. High so much credit for how they are handling this. I can't even begin to imagine their grief. I suppose part of my blog today is for me to attempt to reason through this loss. I feel like she was put on this earth for a purpose. I know everybody talks about "how amazing" the deceased person was and how that person was just the greatest. Stay-C really was. Truely. I used to be secretely jealous of how she could just be whoever she wanted. I always felt the need to fit in. She obviously didn't. For 8th grade graduation she wore knee-high GoGo boots, a mini-skirt and a huge purple boa. She made her homecoming dress out of a Hooters shirt one year. Her creativity was awesome. Tim and I recently booked a trip to Europe. I thought of her the night we finally did it. I've only ever talked about going there since I was like 10. Stay-C wanted to go so she bought a ticket and flew there for 3 weeks by herself. Explored Ireland and tried to drink them out of Guiness. She lived for the moment. I still can't believe how powerful she was. My parents just left the Algonac Memorial Luncheon. Mom says there was somewhere between 300 and 400 people with more coming throughout the day. I was never close to Stay-C. I only knew her through Erin. She was and will always be a rainbow to me. So colorful. Vivid. Brilliant. I suppose that heaven has a new rainbow up there right now. I know that through this experience, I will take some things with me for the rest of my life.
1. Make a timeline. Memories jumble. I suppose this and Facebook will help my generation.
2. Live as though life is the canvas and you are the paintbrush. Make those broad strokes. Don't forget the details. And use a LOT of bright colors.
3. Do things. Live those dreams, don't just talk about them. (sidenote- I'm finially getting that tattoo I keep talking about)
4. Drink beer.
5. Be kind to everyone. You never know when the simplest gesture will mean the world to someone.
6. Be your TRUE self, not who you think people want you to be. And celebrate the God-given differences we all have.
7. But don't take yourself too seriously.
8. Never settle.
9. Don't take your family for granted. Your siblings are your greatest link to the past. Your parents won't be around for forever. And I think perhaps it takes being a parent to actually understand your own weird parents.
10. Go crazy. GoGo boots and purple boa crazy is healthy.
I'm so sorry to her family and friends that she had to leave this earth at such a young age. But I think that we are all better people for having her in our lives.
