Send off for Roslyn

My best friend throughout high school died on her way back from my college graduation. Though there is much weight in my heart regarding owning her last memory, there is also so much honor felt too.

Here's what I will be saying at the funeral.

What can I say about Roslyn? A million things. I could stand here for the rest of the night and talk about her endlessly.

We were best friends all throughout high school. People used to tell us all the time that when separated from each other, we were angels but together was an entirely different story. Yes, we were mischievious during high school. We'd talk each other into ditching classes sometimes and ran outside laughing to do whatever we thought was better than going to class.

We used to stay overnight at each others houses. We'd stay up real late and our favorite pastime of all was signing songs together. Sometimes we'd sign one to the other but most times we signed them together, a little musical duet the two of us were. We were even in a Talent Show at Jefferon High together.

We had a fall out right before I left for college and didn't speak to each other for years. I missed her though wondered often how she was doing. Last summer I came home to Colorado for the summer and went to this deaf event. I saw her again for the first time in years. It hit me right then how much I missed our friendship so I went right up to her and started talking to her.

The thing about Roslyn and I is that once two people reach that type of closeness we had, it is very easy to start talking again as if no time had passed. We picked up instantly as if we never missed a beat.

In the last year that we were in each others' lives I was really learning about who Roslyn was as an adult, not the high school kids we once were. I had found myself admiring her and just really enjoying learning about her transformation over the years. It felt so good to be able to confide in each other again.

When she told me she wanted to come out to see me graduate, I was very honored and touched. I told her everyday online how excited I was to have her and Joel come out to see me. I'm glad I was telling her how honored I felt, it means the world to me now, knowing that she knew how much she was appreciated and is loved.

She was putting together this video for my graduation that had several people including my dad and brother and herself all individually talking about how proud they were of me. I haven't seen this video yet but this simple gesture of a project speaks volumes about how large her heart was. She not only made sure I knew how proud she was of me, but how everyone else was too. That is an overwhelming affirmation of her love that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.

Roslyn taught me a huge huge lesson. She taught me that forgiveness, kindness, and compassion all go hand in hand with each other. One cannot exist without the other or it wouldn't be genuine. At my graduation speech they were talking about how America is a second-chance country. Most of at Pierce Community College were there on our second chances. I remember my eyes seeking Roslyn out in the audience and smiling at her when I heard that. I will forever be grateful for having that chance with her again.

If there's anyone here who didn't get to have that chance with her, now is the time to have it. If she could teach forgiveness, kindness and compassion in life then let her envelope you in it in her death as well. Allow her power to be transcendent.

In conclusion, let me just say that out of all the people I've known, Roslyn has always had a personality that was larger than life. If there could be one word that I feel captures her it would be this: Exuberance. This means joyously unrestrained.

She had a smile which was always contagious and her laughter had everyone rippling along with her in no time. She was fully coming into her own and she shone brightly. Since she was able to spread her love and make wishes come true, I think the symbol that fits her best is a shooting star. Indeed, whenever I really need her I will look to the starry skies and talk to her. I know when the stars twinkle she'll be letting me know she hears me. Here's a quote she had attached to all of our emails:

Starlight, Starbright, Little wish in the moonlight, Sparkle and Shine, You'll always be a friend of mine!

I will take the things she taught me and honor her by teaching others the same.

Thank you Roslynee for illuminating my life. I love you and Blessed Be.