Chelsea used to dance and sing and yell whenever she saw me, or anyone else she knew. There were no "hello's," only large productions which usually attracted lots of attention. Then she would hug me and kiss me and squish my cheeks together and tell me how beautiful I was. She would ask me how I was and I knew she sincerely wanted to know. This "hello" used to make my day. Who wouldn't want to be greeted in such a fashion? That was Chelsea. She had a way of making everyone feel wanted and loved.

Chel never talked about herself--it was impossible to ascertain any information about her day or her life--it was always about someone else. She used to find out cool things about random people she came in contact with and then would tell others about her "new friend." She had a way of befriending people from all walks of life. She knew that everyone had something wonderful inside of them and she couldn't wait to figure out what that something was.

Chelsea loved life and lived it to the fullest. She loved to dance even though she had no rhythm or coordination; she loved to sing even though she didn't have great pitch. She loved Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and Emily Dickinson. She loved to write. She loved her family more then life itself and constantly talked about them. She loved to serve people around her. Whether it was her family, her friends, children in Kenya, students at Edison Elementary, athletes in the Special Olympics, or a lonely classmate, no one was unimportant to Chelsea. Nothing brought her greater happiness then serving other people. None of it was premeditated. She didn't do it to enhance her resume. Serving people was just part of who she was.

Chelsea, since you passed, I look at the world in a different way. I watch the stars twinkle and the snow fall and the seasons change and wonder how it can go on without you. I wonder if this is your new way of saying hello to me. I wonder if that is you, that twinkling star, dancing and singing when you see me. Or when the wind blows, I wonder if that is your new way of hugging and kissing me. I sure hope it is you because I miss you. Chel, I am a better person for having had you in my life. I can't wait til I can dance and sing and make a huge production when I see you again.

Love,

Emily J.