One of my best friends from high school was murdered last week.  Let that sink in for a minute.

 

Murdered.  By her boyfriend. With his bare hands. And left there to die. At 25 years old. 

I want to yell and scream and cry and see this coward pay for what he did.  I hadn’t talked to Kayla in 2 years.  We had an argument after another friend died and hadn’t spoken since.  And oddly, I don’t feel guilt about it.  I think she knows how I felt about her when we got along and that sometimes she might be too much to take.  I also think she grew up A LOT in those two years.  I hardly knew the woman they talked about today, the one who was called to work at SPARC and how much she loved her clients.  I would have liked to have known that Kayla.  We always had a lot of fun in high school and for the last almost week, I’ve been reliving most of them.  I was behind a car on the way to the funeral who was taking forever to turn and I yelled, “make it a career!” and had to laugh, because I got that from Kayla.  We were leaving lunch and the driveway was more like a short curb, which made me think of when we went to Baskin Robbins after a basketball game and she drove off a stepped curb when leaving.  All 3 of us in the car yelled CURB!! and it stayed a joke for a long time.  That and that I didn’t like nuts (on my sundae!!).  I remember the time we were driving somewhere and saw a billboard for Mariah’s restaurant and the eagle on the picture was almost as big as the restaurant.  When I wrote on the balloon last night, I told her to watch out for eagles up there. =) We have tons of other memories that haven’t come back yet.

I want to yell and scream at the thing that did this.  The paper said he showed no emotion while having the charges read to him in court. That doesn’t surprise me after what he did.  He was apparently sentenced as an adult at 13 (for attempted murder) and was just released in 2008.  I’m hoping on hope that she didn’t know that before they started dating.

I don’t even know what to say or what to feel right now.  I know other people are going through it, but I feel alone.  Like I’m going to have to deal with this on my own.  I know that’s not true, but I don’t ask for help, and it’s just hard.

I don’t ever want to go through this again. Ever. I thought the last one was hard, this was worse. 

 

I warn you now, you may not want to read this post because it’s not a cheery subject.  But it is one that needs to be covered.  More than it is currently.

“I didn’t think I was hearing a murder, I just thought I was hearing abuse.”  A woman on the news said this last night, like it was no big deal, like the abuse part was OK.  The woman screaming (the neighbor) was a good friend of mine from high school.  It appears she was killed at the hands of her boyfriend.  Yes, the police were called that night, but didn’t see or hear anything wrong and left.  They were called back the next morning and found my friend.  It was too late.  And while I could (and some will argue should), I will not sit here and blame whoever left after that first call, that isn’t the important part here for me.  The important part for me is the part that is rarely ever covered or talked about by anyone.  Except the media when a football player is involved.  I will not use his name, ever.  His victim’s name was Kasi.  You need to know that.  The victim’s name Wednesday night was Kayla.  The victim’s name 6 years ago was Michelle. 

I did not know Kasi and I knew of Michelle through an internet board.  Kayla, however, was a friend.  While we had arguments and hadn’t spoken in 2 years, she was still a friend and we had a lot of fun times during our four years in high school and the years after.  This whole situation bothers me and I’m not sure how to handle it.  I’ve never in my life had to say the words “A friend was murdered”.  I never want to again. 

Now, here is why I’m writing this.  Domestic violence isn’t talked about like I feel it should be.  Victims are blamed in most cases, because it always has to be something THEY did and not that their attacker is an ego maniac or sick.  Many victims refuse to report it or are scared to report it because of what might happen to them or possibly their children.  We should have a system in this country that women feel safe turning to.  They need to know they will be protected and taken care of. 

“Everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.” Every day.  If this were any other form of violence, it’d be all over the news.  Why isn’t it? Why are we as people OK with this?  Why do we continue to ignore it unless an athlete or someone with a name we all recognize is involved?

Please don’t believe that only women are victims, either.  They just happen to be more likely to be victims.  “In 2000, 1,247 women and 440 men were killed by an intimate partner. In recent years, an intimate partner killed approximately 33% of female murder victims and 4% of male murder victims.”  This really affects EVERYONE.

I was amazed at what I heard about Kayla’s attacker.  He’d had a history of violence, like most do.  He’d served less than a month total on multiple domestic issues.  This is not right.  There needs to be stronger sentences for people who hit someone even once.  This cannot continue.  I don’t want to bury another friend because the justice system failed them and they were too scared to speak up. 

I was going to write this specifically about my friend Kayla and my thoughts on that but while she is MY face to this problem, there are too many others.  They deserve for their names to be known as well.  This is an issue that affects everyone.  During their lifetimes, 1 in 3 women will be affected by domestic violence. 

To Kasi, Michelle, Kayla and the others who’s names I may never know:  You were not lost for nothing.  You all made an impact on my life if you know it or not.  And I will never let your names or stories be forgotten.

And to all of those who have been fortunate enough to get out of an abusive relationship, you all are my heroes.  You have more courage in a piece of your hair than I think I could ever have.

All statistics from: http://domesticviolencestatistics.org/domestic-violence-statistics/ and http://www.americanbar.org/groups/domestic_violence/resources/statistics.html

 

Going to see if I can keep up with this for the next 30 days. Wish me luck! 🙂

I found this idea on Pinterest and loved it. The author suggested maybe using this for a date night, too.  If I ever have one, I might try it then, too. Would be good for a first date or something.

(The original blog is here: http://cherishinghopesanddreams.blogspot.com/2012/01/30-things.html#)

DAY 1: List 20 Random Things About Yourself.

– I’ve never met 3 of my good friends.
– I wish Mr. Right would walk into my life already.
– I do not drink or smoke.
– I’m ready to be done with school
– Catchers are my favorite position. Lefties are a general favorite….better if you’re a pitcher.
– I’m opinionated on a number of subjects. I don’t care who doesn’t agree with me.
– I want to go to Ireland
– I’m a Political Science minor… And I can’t for the life of me figure out why (just watch some ads.)
– I am an only child.
– Opening Day should be a National Holiday
– I’m not a patient person.
– I had an internship with the Chicago White Sox last summer
– I have a Lab/ Samoyed. She’s not spoiled at all.
– I love Nikes
– Cowboy boots are love
– I think Miranda Lambert and I may be the same person. =)
– I love Hello Kitty
– My dream job is working for the Texas Rangers
– I want a tattoo within the year
– Daisies are my favorite flower

Hope I can keep this going. I love this idea 🙂

I worked out last week and felt great, to the point I was going to start doing it regularly again and try and get back on my weightloss path.  So I went to the park today.  It was in the mid 60’s early and it was a great day for a walk.  I didn’t start out fast at all and was just walking at my normal pace.  About half way through the first half mile I started feeling kind of weird.  It was windy and I was going up hill, so I didn’t think anything of it.  I kept going another time around so I would be at an even mile when I was done.  I finished in 40 minutes and was pretty proud of myself even though before the concussion I was at about an 8-10 minute mile.  When I got back to my car, I wasn’t dizzy, but I was a little fuzzy.  I thought it was from the exercise and from it actually being semi-warm. Except it didn’t go away.  And I’m starting to forget little things (that’s one of my main symptoms).  I wanted to go out again tomorrow because it’s supossed to be nice again and I don’t want to be stuck in the house.  I guess I’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow, but for now, my post concussion symptoms are back and I’m not happy about it. 😦

This is the one and only time you’ll have to deal with a political post from me.  I don’t usually like to put my views out there, even though I am a political science minor.  Hopefully this doesn’t get too long, and I apologize in advance if I talk your ear off.  Here are a couple topics that have got me close to fuming the last few weeks.

Birth Control/ Rush Limbaugh/ Uninformed Republicans

Now, let me say first that I don’t call myself a democrat or republican, though I find myself REALLY disagreeing with republicans lately. They are far too conservative for me to even consider affiliating with.

From what I’ve heard, Rush Limbaugh has always been nuts and he likes to run his mouth.  Usually, I can ignore it.  Except when it comes to something that concerns my life, whether he knows it or not.

There is a law student from Georgetown who testified for the dems that birth control should be covered by insurance (or something like that).  Limbaugh decided to take it upon himself to tell this woman (she’s in her 30’s) that she was wrong, only he didn’t just stop there.  He called this woman a slut and a prostitute and said that if he were made to pay for her birth control, she should be made to release her sex tapes to the public.  After sponsors pulled their ads and a lot of pissed off people, he came out and, as he said it, apologized.  Except not once did he use the words “I’m” and “sorry”.  He somehow made it out that he was joking and used the wrong terminology.  Now, for someone who SPEAKS for a living, shouldn’t you know what terminology you want to and should use? You had to backtrack because people flipped their lids.

Getting a little personal here, I have been on the pill for the better part of 13 years.  Not to prevent babies, but because I have a medical need.  I have heavy periods when I’m not on the pill to the point where I could pass out. I always have.  The pill has, I think, probably saved my life. This seems to be lost on people in this debate.  Birth control does not only mean condoms and things of that nature.  It also includes pills.  I know a few women who use it for reasons other than to prevent babies.  That’s a plus, but not the sole reason a lot of women use it.  I saw a comment on an article from a WOMAN who said that women should go to Planned Parenthood instead of insurance paying for it.  I don’t know if they hand out pills, but that’s asinine.  If it’s for actual medical need, then it should be covered.  And it should be free.  It’s also keeping kids off of welfare and out of foster care.  How’s that for saving y’all money?!

I’m not the most informed person about a lot of subjects, but if you don’t know what you’re arguing for, but you’re arguing against it because Obama wants it, I have no use for you.  You’re blinded by your party and that’s not right.

 

Rick Santorum

I don’t even know where to start, honestly.  First of all, the man gives me the creeps.  He just looks like someone I can’t trust.  I haven’t been a fan of his since I first saw him, but his views on the world are just…. I don’t even have a word.  Republicans say that Romney isn’t conservative enough for them, so they’re trying to get this guy the nomination.  A friend thinks he’s a troll, I think he’s a plant by the Democrats so they know they will absolutely win in November.  I don’t know how anyone could be that conservative and survive this long.  Romney is ridiculous because of his “We have money, my wife has a couple Cadilacs” thing, but if I HAD to pick a candidate, I’d pick him.  Santorum wants to almost combine church and state.  He wants to overturn any and all laws that allow same sex marriage, and annul all of those marriages.  He wants to outlaw abortion.  I’m sure there are other things that I’m forgetting.  Oh, and both he and Romney agreed with Limbaugh on the birth control issue.

I thought this section would be longer, but just watch any of his interviews/ speeches and you’ll see what I’m talking about.  For the good of the country, I hope he’s not the nominee.

This story begins on February 14th, 2010. However, it’s not the amazing love story of my life.

I recently came upon a blog of a woman named Molly B. who has been dealing with Post Concussion Syndrome for 4 years.  Her blog inspired me to go ahead and write this entry.  I’d been thinking about it, but her blog made me realize that someone might come across this one and find they aren’t the only ones going through this.

It was a warm-ish Valentines Day, warm enough I could wear just a long sleeved shirt under my Joe Mauer jersey. I wanted to show it off, so it was good that it was warm.  Mom was off that day and the dog had a check-up and bath at the vet, so after class we had to find something to do after running some other errands. We went to JC Penney’s to kill some time. I found some clothes that I could wear for my internship, so I went to try them on. I was warm after that, but nothing unusual after trying on stuff.  We were standing in line because we’d found some stuff to buy.  I started getting dizzy, so I sat down (they were doing construction, so there were no chairs around) in line.  The people in front of us moved so I stood up. I got really tired all the sudden and the last thing I remember before I came to was putting my head on mom’s shoulder. The next thing I remember, I heard my mom saying my name, cashiers asking if they needed to call 911 and my head hitting my mom’s hand on the floor (she told me later that my head had bounced a couple times).  They got me something to eat and got me into a wheelchair but I still had to pay for what I was going to buy.  I blacked out again in line.  The manager wheeled me outside and I immediately started to feel better because of the cool air.  I got home and slept for probably 4 hours. 

I knew after I woke up that I’d had a concussion.  I’d done enough research to know even without going to a Dr. I went a couple days later to make sure.  My headaches still weren’t gone after a couple weeks, so they sent me for a CT Scan to make sure my skull wasn’t cracked.  My sensitivity was (and still is) to light, so being in a hopital was horrible. There wasn’t anywhere to hide from that light and the whiplash made it impossible to put my head down to hide from it.

Looking back, I made some mistakes in treating it.  I went to class the day after it happened and was on a computer for both of those classes.  I thought that if I acted normal that I would heal faster.  I was wrong about that.  The last year is proof of that.

About a month after I fell, I was talking to a friend online and got this horrible pain in my left eye.  It felt like my eye was going to explode. I didn’t know what I was going to do if something happened to my eye. The friend I was talking to lives out of state, and wouldn’t be able to do anything.  All the sudden, it felt like something popped in my eye, my vision went black and came back and after that, it was better.  I was told this was an occular or retinal migraine.  I’ve had a few since, but none like that first one.  About a week after I fell, I was sitting at home and felt my head hit something ( I was sitting on the couch).  Apparently, that was what it felt like when my head hit the concrete when I passed out.

I felt like I was getting better this summer. I’d hardly had any headaches, no dizziness and I wasn’t tired all the time.  I moved home and it all came back. I was sleeping until 11 or 12 every day for the first couple months which meant that I was missing classes and I didn’t care.   Instructors didn’t seem to care that I was apparently still trying to recover from this concussion.

I finally went to a neurologist a couple weeks ago.  She gave me some medication for the migraines, which seems to be working.  So far, I haven’t had any headaches (knock on wood).  I’m still tired a lot, but that’s normal for me. 

I’m hoping that the medication helps and I can get back to a semi-normal life and back to working out again.  I’ve tried, but I get dizzy and can’t do anything.  I can walk, but anything more that that, including steps, and it takes about an hour to recover from it.

I was nervous about writing this post because I’d have to almost re-live the whole thing.  I’m glad we haven’t had much snow or ice this winter because I was so scared that I’d slip and hit my head again.

I see stories about athletes who have suffered concussions in the last year to year and a half and still aren’t playing.  I shake my head, but I know what they’re going through.  It’s frustrating because I think I should be healed by now, but my brain has different ideas.

I’m dealing one day at a time…

“I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens, but I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen.  I have no rank upon my shoulders- salutes I do not give, but the military world is the place where I live. I’m not in the chain of command, orders I do not get, but my husband [wife] is the one who does, this I cannot forget. I’m not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line, but my job is just as tough, I’m the one that’s left behind. My husband [wife] is a patriot, a brave and prideful [wo]man, and the call to serve his[her] country, not all can understand. Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free. My husband [wife] makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me. I love the [wo]man I married, Soldiering is his[her] life. But I stand among the silent ranks known as the military [spouse].”

            Some of the strongest people in the military are not enlisted at all. While they still serve their country, most do not even acknowledge them and they are often in the shadows. They are military spouses. While the conflicts and wars may change, their jobs do not. They are the support system for their soldier, and take care of everything while their soldier is gone.
            While discussing the roles of military spouses, I spoke with Dora Mae VanHouten (age 82), MaryEllen Dix Reynolds (age 88), Bobby Moberg (age 25) and Amber Finigan (age 23). Mrs. VanHouten was a military wife for 21 years. Her husband, Gene retired as a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force after serving in Vietnam as an aircraft mechanic. Mrs. Dix was a military wife for only a few years, during World War II. Her husband, Boyd was an Ensign in the United States Navy as a flight instructor. PFC. Moberg has been a military husband for a little over a year. His wife, Leah is a Sergeant in the United States Army. She is currently deployed to Kuwait. PFC. Moberg returned from his own deployment in July 2010. Mrs. Finigan has been a military wife for a little over a year. Her husband, Anthony is a Lieutenant JG in the United States Navy. He is currently in submarine training in Charleston, South Carolina.

            While many things in the world have changed, the role of the military spouse is not much different, with the exception of communication and that there are more men. During WWII and Vietnam, the main source of communication was letters. Mrs. VanHouten still has a few letters written from Vietnam (she was stationed with Gene in Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey, Japan, and Illinois), while Mrs. Dix was stationed with her husband at his only base in Corpus Christie, Texas. The longest he was ever gone was a week.  PFC. Moberg has the advantage of having cell phones, Facebook, and Skype. He said, “I think technology has both hurt and helped military couples who are away from each other for any period of time. You can communicate more nowadays more than you have every been able to before, you get to see what they are up to even if you did not get to talk to them that day, and you are able to video chat with them making them being away a little easier to deal with. However, technology has ruined the “personal” aspect to talking to your significant other. By that I mean that when you used to get letters it meant more to you because you knew that they hand wrote it and took a lot of time and put a lot of thought into it. Another downfall would be seeing they are online but they are not responding to your messages. It drives you crazy because you do not what is going on and heaven forbid you do not get to talk to them everyday. You start thinking that something is wrong, or something has happened forcing you to worry about your wife/husband that is deployed overseas.”

               Mrs. Finigan also has the benefit of having the modern technology.  She says that Facebook helps in the sharing of information because if one person knows something, it is easier to share if you are not able to contact your husband. On the other hand, during deployments, it will not change things much.  Since her husband will be on a submarine, there will be no internet or cell phone service. For his deployment, unless he is at “periscope depth”, they will not have any contact.

            Both Mrs. VanHouten and Mrs. Dix lived in military housing. Mrs. Dix explained that when they were starting out, “At first we just had one room, it was tough. We finally got an apartment. We didn’t live in housing like most did because he was an Officer.” While Mrs. VanHouten explained that, “It wasn’t much different, but you needed to keep it clean”. When asked if it was different raising children in the military, Mrs. VanHouten responded, “Not much different than here.”  Mrs. Finigan is currently living in Terre Haute, Indiana. PFC Moberg is currently living in Springfield, Illinois.

              I asked Mrs. Finigan what she thinks it would be like if her husband were still a civilian, and had not decided to enter the Navy. She told me, “The only thing that would change if Anthony was a civilian would be that I would get to see him every day. I would be able to count on him and not worry about whether or not he’ll be able to come to significant events in our lives like my graduation or the birth of our children.” This is one thing most forget about military families, is that the husbands cannot just come home for important events. Many are missed. I also asked Amber what her favorite things were about being a military wife. She responded, “The military is a community and I love being a part of it. I have friends all over the country. There are also other perks like tax free shopping, restaurant discounts, etc. I also love getting to see my husband in uniform.” And the most rewarding thing is, “…Homecomings. Thanks to the Navy, we’ll be in the honeymoon phase of marriage for the next 17 years.”

              PFC. Moberg has the unique perspective of also having been in the military. I asked if his enlistment changed their situation. “I think that me being enlisted as well only changes my situation slightly. I am more tolerant of things that happen than someone who does not know what their spouse is going through. I understand everything that she is going through because I have been in her shoes and I know how much it hurts being away from all of your loved ones.” When asked what he likes most about being a military couple he responded, “…I do not have to guess and try to figure out what she is talking about when we do get to talk. It makes it that much easier for us to talk because I don’t have to try and decipher what she is saying.”:)”

            I asked Mrs. VanHouten if her feelings changed with the different conflicts or wars, since her husband served at the very end of WWII, in Korea and in Vietnam. She told me, “I worried while he was in Japan, because the planes were old, and not in good shape.”

            I asked both Mrs. VanHouten and Mrs. Dix if they worked while their husbands were away. Both said no. Mrs. VanHouten added, “They didn’t like hiring GI wives”. Mrs. Finigan is currently in school to be a Physician’s Assistant so she can one day work in a Veterans’ Affairs Hospital wherever Anthony gets stationed. PFC Moberg is currently a student at Lincoln Land Community College.

            I asked Mrs. Finigan about challenges that she faces and she told me, “Things are constantly changing in the Navy. For instance, you could have orders to go to San Diego. You find an apartment there and schedule a U-Haul to move your stuff. But then the day you are supposed to move you get a call saying that you are now going to Seattle and not San Diego. This really makes things difficult for planning anything.”

             When talking to PFC. Moberg about the challenges he faces, “The biggest challenge I am facing is that I was recently diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and I do not have my wife here to help me through it. There is only so much she can do from Kuwait and it hurts every day that she is not here. Another challenge is that since we are a dual military marriage/couple that we have had to spend so much time away from each other. The 3 1/2 years we have been together we have had to be apart for 2/3 of the time at least which makes things very challenging at times.” On the other hand, when asked about the most rewarding part about being a military husband, “…the pride I feel for my wife. She is one of the strongest, smartest, and most talented people I know and I know she is a great leader for people to come to. She works very hard at being the best she can be even if she stresses out because of it.
            These are four of the most amazing people I have ever met. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be away from the person you love for a long period of time, either by choice or by duty. While deployments and separations may be easier than they were in the past, it still is not easy.

“Dear Lord,
Give me the greatness of heart to see the difference between duty and his love for me. Give me understanding that I may know; when duty calls him [her] [s]he must go. Give me a task to do each day, to fill the time when [s]he’s away. And Lord, when [s]he’s in a foreign land, keep him [her] safe in your loving hand. And Lord, when duty is in the field, please protect him [her] and be his [her] shield. And Lord, when deployment is so long, please stay with me and keep me strong. Amen. “

Not a whole lot has happened since my last post.

I sent out resumes to several teams (Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Colorado, San Diego, White Sox, and Kansas City), and to the College World Series. I’ve heard from the Pirates, Padres, Twins and White Sox, but they were either, “Get back to us when you graduate” or “Go [here] to apply for jobs”. I’m still not so patiently waiting to hear from other teams. Hopefully I hear from the Braves this year because I have worked in their organization for 5 years and never heard anything about my resume. I’m hoping my experience in the White Sox organization will help this season.

I sent my information to the College World Series for a Spring internship that would run from January to the end of the Series in June. I sent it thinking that nothing would come of it. I got an email last week telling me that I was chosen to interview. My interview was Monday, and I asked how many were being interviewed since it was open nationally. He said the response was more than they’ve ever had, and they narrowed it down to 5 people out of all the applicants. I was one of them. The interviews go throughout this week. I don’t know when I’ll hear. I don’t know what I’ll do if I haven’t started hearing from teams.

We went to St. Louis before Game 6 of the World Series to hang out at the team hotel. I saw a guy wearing a big, sparkly ring. I went up to him, and asked if I could see it. It was a 2010 American League Championship ring. I started talking to him about school and what I want to do in baseball and he told me that he’s the Senior Vice President of the Rangers. I read up on him later that night and found out that he’s worked in or for the Ryan ownership group for several years. He told me on his way to the game to send my resume to him. I sent it… Again, just waiting to hear.

Last year was so much easier. No resumes to send out and no testing of my patience waiting to hear back 🙂

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me,

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I’d always thought,
I didn’t want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had

If I could re-live yesterday
Just even for a while,
I’d say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven’s gates,
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.

He said, “This is eternity,
And all I’ve promised you.”
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day’s the same way
There’s no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn’t do.

But you have been forgiven
And now at last you’re free.
So won’t you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here, in your heart.

It’s been a YEAR since Leanna Pearl Pokora died in the most unimaginable, unbelieveable, and worst way possible (to me). And, I can’t belive it’s been that long already.

So many things have changed in my life this past year, mostly because of her. I have grown, I have realized who my friends really are, and to keep in touch with them, and I’m one step closer to my dream job.

Leanna and I lost touch after sophomore year. We were in classes together, but didn’t really talk. I don’t know why.  I saw her once after we graduated, at a coming home dinner for a friend. It was also the last time I saw her.

I remember that morning I found out. I woke up and checked my phone. I had a text from my best friend, and not thinking anything of it, I opened it. “Leanna Pokora died”. She told me that it was on the front page of the paper’s website, so I knew it was something… not natural, I guess. I remember thinking my computer couldn’t start up fast enough. I got to the page, and to the article. She’d died after trying to push her car out of a flooded underpass. I had to read it 3 or 4 times. It couldn’t be real. It was made up. They had the wrong person. Things like this don’t happen. Not here.

I remember that day, I can’t even remember what we did or where we went. I did all of it, but I wasn’t there. I had a movie date that night, and so glad we’d already had it planned. We needed to get out and try and not think about it. I think we saw Easy A. I don’t remember.

I’ve been to more than my share of funerals for friends. This one was different. It wasn’t her choice (like with the others), and it was just… different. I remember when a friend died when I was 13 that another friend told me that she’d kissed Courtney goodbye and she was so cold. That stuck with me more than anything. I kissed Leanna goodbye, and it’s something I’ve never felt. That statement came back to me…

A benefit was held in September to help her family. It was amazing. I helped get some auction items, and it helped me so much. The turnout was incredible, and the money raised was more than I think anyone thought would happen. We filled the resturant, with alot having to hang out outside.

When I see articles or reports about people being rescued from underpasses, I am almost physically sick. Not just anger at them, but almost sick. They don’t understand that this can happen. At least not to them. But it does. It happened to an amazing, 23 year old woman who had amazing things ahead of her.

I regret not talking to her more when I had the chance. In a way, I think it helped, because it was already hard enough, but there’s always that “I could have done more” feeling.

I think everyday of the two friends that were with her, and hope that they’re as strong as I know they are. And when they aren’t, they have so many people to turn to. They need to know that, if they don’t already.

Please, if there is flooding in your area, find a way around underpasses. They’re never safe when flooded. 6 inches of water can sweep a person off their feet. A foot stalls a car. Be careful!!