Star Light, Star Bright, First Star I See At Night...I Wish I May, I Wish I Might, Have The Wish, I Wish Tonight.

Yesterday, the class of 1990 from Cicero North Syracuse High School received news that a beautiful soul moved on and a woman who was an essence to our class is now at restful peace. News came unexpectedly and throughout the last 24 hours I've found myself stopping in complete sadness. The shock is real and I am shaking my head in disbelief. It just doesn't seem right.

She was a gorgeous person. She was this way in 7th grade when I first met her and she was this way throughout high school. In fact, she was gorgeous every time I ran into her in Armory Square, when we met at the reunions, and within all of her Facebook updates. A few weeks ago, in fact, she posted that life is too short NOT to reach out and touch the lives of others. I read the post and jotted her a note:

Touching lives is a good thing. So, let me touch yours. I remember meeting you at Gillette Road Middle School when we shared a classroom with Mr. Melger (freaky French teacher with odd teeth and a lot of spit). I knew you as a fighter - that is, a tough, strong, independent, confident woman. I was a pudgy nerd and intimidated by your 7th grade beauty. Then, we grew older (and older) and older, and I watched you bloom into a beautiful high school student, then twenty-something, then thirty-something, and now (cough cough) forty something. The one thing that has remained the same is the beauty you radiate and the strength you exude. Have a great weekend.

Within minutes, she responded,

Oh Bryan that is such a sweet thing to say!! You brightened my day! Of course you throw in your funny stories, too - you always have. He was a pretty good spitter, I would have to say!! Thank you, my friend!! You're an amazing guy!! 

When news broke that she was gone, I looked for the messaging we shared to see what it is we said to one another. I'm glad the correspondence shared good thoughts and, for a brief moment, the two of us remembered to the touch the lives of those we care about.

I am thinking today, though, about her shining light which will now be anchored  in the sky...a source to look up to forever. I'm thinking about my classmates, too, especially her closest friends, who are sharing such a sudden lost. More importantly, I am thinking of her daughter - just as beautiful as her mother - and the immediate family.

This news is one of those gut-punching twists in the world. I find serenity in knowing she'll be where our wishes go. And with that, I am wishing her friends and family peace and strength as they mourn such a power-house of a human being.

To my fellow Northstars, I am thinking of you.