A Friend Was Murdered Yesterday
I was up until almost 2:00 last night. News about a young friend kept racing in my mind.
On the television there appeared more and more information flashing across the screen about Lizzie having been murdered on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I listened in disbelief as I heard more and more about the incident. “How could this be?” I said to myself.
Lizzie’s father had just died several years ago. My thoughts immediately turned to her mother.
If you have children, it’s the call none of us want to hear…the call that our child has been plucked from life at such a young age.
My thoughts raced as I remembered Lizzie in the plays at high school, remembered when my son told me her father died, remembered that she was in graduate school out of state. It had been awhile since I saw her. You know how it is after high school graduation. Everyone goes their own way and often don’t see each other again. I do remember she was a beautiful, independent, and confident girl. Her parents were proud of her and she loved them dearly. She was energetic and full of life.
They caught and killed the man they believe killed Lizzie late yesterday. It’s little consolation that he is dead, but at least he can’t do anything terrible to another human being.
So what kind of hope and inspiration is there when something like this happens?
In an ideal world, your child is not supposed to die before you. We know, today, that this world is anything but a peaceful, ideal place. However, ironically enough, in 2002 Lizzie won the South Carolina title for her peace essay and went on to be a finalist in the National Peace Essay Contest. Yes, she was a talented writer as well.
Lizzie’s legacy is one of hope and inspiration. She was a good student and lived life to the fullest. Her infectious personality was enjoyed by many of her friends, teachers, and family members. She taught those who knew her how to live life passionately and she wasn’t scared to say what was on her mind. She loved acting, but she never pretended in her relationships. She showed her vulnerable self to the world. She was an ethical and intelligent girl and knew how to embrace those strengths to make the world a more peaceful and harmonious place.
In many ways, Lizzie lived her life more fully than many of us. She has been an inspiration to those whose lives she touched and has given us the inspiration to be better at who we are.
My wish for you today: That you will live your life as fully as Lizzie did. Enjoy your work and your relationships, challenge yourself to be the best you can be – and hope that – when your time comes to leave this earth – you will be remembered for making the world a better place.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Lizzie. We will miss your spirit but will smile when we think of you.
~Joellen